PATHWAYS TO ARMEGEDDON, AND BEYOND

CHAPTER 6

THE ARAB/MOSLEM PATHWAY

(News event ìMilestonesî through 7/2002)

We are pioneers on the Arab/Moslem prophetic Pathway.Ý Although there are many prophecies about Israel's neighbors, this pathway is rarely trodden by modern prophetic interpreters.Ý And this is understandable -- it is often difficult to determine whether many of these prophetic events lie in our future, or if they have been historically fulfilled.Ý To add to the confusion, some commentators cite specific historical references as fulfillments, however, some of these alleged fulfillments stretch the meaning of both the prophetic word and the historical record.Ý

In the 19th century, some fine expositors thought that many of the prophecies about Israel were fulfilled by the Church.Ý They could not envision that God would literally regather Israel after two millennia of exile.Ý When God began regathering Israel in 1948, all of these prophetic interpretations had to be revised.Ý Today, most biblical commentaries interpret the vast body of Arab/Moslem prophecies to be historically fulfilled.Ý But a close examination of many of these prophecies indicate that many may apply to current or future events.

Given the centrality of Middle Eastern affairs in our world today, it is important for prophetic scholars to begin rethinking this great body of prophecy.Ý Many of the views and interpretations contained in this chapter are unorthodox.Ý Hopefully, they will interest you enough to more closely examine the prophetic word in light of both the historical record and today's newspaper for yourself.

THE EARLY ARAB/MOSLEM PATHWAY

The nation of Israel is surrounded by "relatives" -- some close, some distant, most hostile.Ý These tribal nations are predominantly Moslem.Ý Although we tend to think of all Middle Eastern nations as being Arab, few if any of these nations are technically of "Arab" origin.Ý

The Arab/Moslem pathway began with the migration and settlement of ancient family groups.Ý In time, this pathway was dominated by a long succession of empires -- some local, some "foreign".Ý As each new empire grew in size and military power, it would conquer and replace its predecessor.Ý The Bible describes the birth and demise of many of these familial nations.Ý Many of these nations face severe judgement in the near future principally because of their treatment of Israel.Ý

The Arab/Moslem Pathway has become a "divided highway" -- the path has split into a Radical "lane" and a Moderate "lane".Ý

On the Radical "lane" we find two groups, headed for two different futures:

GROUP 1: Iran (Persia), Ethiopia/Sudan (Cush), Libya (Put),

In the previous chapter we discussed the Judgement of "Group 1"Ý when they cast their lots with Russia during the Russo-Israeli War.Ý We will not address them again here.Ý

GROUP 2: Iraq (Babylon), Jordan (Moab, Ammon, and Edom) and Saudi Arabia (Arabia).Ý

Those nations in "Group 2" are either being judged or will soon be judged.Ý

On the Moderate ìlaneî we find Egypt and curiously, "Assyria."Ý The future of these nations is quite interesting and perhaps not what you might expect.Ý

But to understand the future, lets begin with the far distant past.

THE MIDDLE EAST FAMILY

After mankind was destroyed by the flood, the only survivors emerged from the ark.Ý The three sons of Noah became the fathers of all modern nations.Ý These grandsons of Noah set out to seek their fortunes, and began a process of settlement and migration which continued for millennia.Ý In Genesis 10, we can see the familial roots of all nations.Ý

In the following chart we can see three things.Ý

Firstly, we can see the close family relationships of the nations.Ý These familial ties account for both the closeness of ties between some nations, and the family quarrelling of others.Ý

The second thing that we can see is that the invaders who attack Israel in the Russo-Israeli War are principally from the families of Ham and Japheth.Ý Perhaps it is this family bond and ancestral history which helps to unite them.Ý

The third thing that we can see is that many of the nations which surround Israel have the most ancient and direct historic origins.Ý While it is more difficult to trace the lineage of the Japanese, English, or Aztecs back to these roots, the family branches which became Egypt, Syria, and Jordan are immediately apparent.

FATHERS OF THE NATIONS IN PROPHECY ñ GENESIS

Sons of Noah	Öand their sons	Öand their descendants
JAPHETH	JAVANÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Greece TIRASÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Thrace/ Bulgaria MAGOGÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Kazakhstan* MADAIÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Medes/ N. Iran/ Kurdistan* GOMER ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Ukraine/ Russia/ Cent. Turkey TUBALÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ N. Turkey* MESHECHÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Rep. of Georgia/NE Turkey*	TOGARMAHÝÝÝÝÝ E. Turkey*
HAM	CANAANÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ (gone) PUTÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Libya* MIZRAIMÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Egypt CUSHÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Ethiopia/Sudan*	NIMRODÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Babylon/ Iraq
SHEM	ELAMÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ SW Iran ASSHURÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Assyria/ Kurdistan LUDÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ W. Turkey ARAMÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Syria ARPACHSHADÝÝ Iraq	JACOBÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Israel ESAUÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Edom/ Jordan ISHMAELÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Saudi Arabia MOABÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Jordan BEN-AMMIÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Ammon/ Jordan KEDAR ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Saudi Arabia MIDIAN ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Saudi Arabia SHEBA ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Saudi Arabia DEDAN ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ Saudi Arabia

EMPIRES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

From her earliest days, Israel has had a tenuous relationship with her neighbors.Ý God has more than once used these surrounding nations to conquer and punish Israel for her unfaithfulness.Ý In fact, Israel was ruled and oppressed by these "gentile" nations from the Fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC until it declared its independence in 1948 AD.Ý This domination has been in the form of a great succession of empires which have not only ruled Israel, but the entire Middle East at one time or another.

MAJOR EMPIRES DOMINATING THE MIDDLE EAST

Assyrian EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 1100 BC -Ý 625 BC

New Babylonian (Chaldean) EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 625 BC -Ý 539 BC

Persian EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 550 BC -Ý 331 BC

Alexander's (Greek) EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 336 BC -Ý 146 BC

Roman EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 264 BC -Ý 565 AD

Byzantine EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 4thC AD - 1453 AD

Moslem EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 622 AD - 1OthC AD

Turkish (Ottoman) EmpireÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 11thC AD - 1914 AD

British Empire and FranceÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 1914 AD - 1960's AD

Rather than attempt to review all of these empires, we will concentrate our attention on the last three -- the Moslem, Turkish, and European empires.Ý These empires have the greatest bearing on our world today.

The Moslem Empire

Islam was introduced to the nations of the Middle East by Mohammed at the beginning of the seventh century.Ý The belief that dying while fighting for the faith would assure entrance into Paradise made the Moslems mighty warriors.Ý It was this common faith which forged the Moslem Empire.Ý

In the seventh and eight centuries, the imperialist Moslem Empire vastly expanded.Ý It annexed Israel and Syria in the north; Iran, Iraq and north-west India in the east; and North Africa, Spain and parts of France in the west.Ý The Moslem invasion of Europe was stopped by Charles Martel, King of the Franks, at the Battle of Tours in 732.

The Moslem Empire was the center of cultural advancement, standing in stark contrast with the European "dark ages".Ý While the Roman Church was torturing and murdering European academicians for the sin of natural curiosity and free thought, the Moslems were

… founding many great universities,

… preserving the achievements of classical culture, and

… making advances in agriculture, architecture, mathematics and medicine.

Whereas European "christians" tortured and murdered "unbelievers", the Moslem Empire did not forcibly convert indigenous populations.Ý However, the appeal of Paradise as a reward for righteous living, and exemption from a tax on unbelievers was enough to convert many.Ý

The Ottoman Empire

By the 10th century, the Moslem Empire began to disintegrate into independent Moslem kingdoms.Ý In the 11th century, the Moslem Seljuk Turks seized Baghdad and dominated the Middle East.Ý Two centuries later, their leadership role shifted to the Ottoman Turks.Ý This Turkish domination of "Arab" land for almost a millennium is the root cause of the diplomatic problems between Turkey and her Moslem neighbors today.

As the Turks continued to expand their influence, their neighbors became increasingly nervous.Ý During the late 11th century the Byzantine emperor appealed to the Roman Church for military assistance.Ý The Roman Church viewed this plea as an opportunity to liberate the Holyland from Moslem control.Ý It was in response to this appeal that the Crusades were launched.Ý The Crusades were a Christian "holy war" or as the Moslems call it -- a jihad.Ý During the First Crusade, the European army gained control of Jerusalem and parts of the Holyland.Ý A hundred years later, the Moslems, led by Saladin, retook the Holyland.Ý Despite additional Crusades, Israel remained part of the Ottoman Empire until the end of World War I in 1918.

By the 19th century, the Ottoman Empire became known as the "sick man of Europe."Ý The Turkish government had become corrupt, inefficient and religiously oppressive.Ý Many of the nations who suffered under its domination began to press for independence.Ý Competition for control of the Balkans brought Turkey and Russia into confrontation.Ý In 1914, Turkey entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) primarily motivated by her hatred for Russia.Ý With the defeat of the Central Powers at the end of World War I, the Treaty of Lausanne provided for Turkey to retain Asia Minor, Constantinople, and the Dardanelles, but lost all non-Turkish territory.

The British Empire and France

In 1920, the Supreme War Council granted Britain and France mandates to administer lands in the Middle East.Ý Britain was given control of areas which subsequently became known as Iraq, Jordan and Israel.Ý France was given control of territories which subsequently became Lebanon and Syria.Ý The borders of these emerging nations were drawn rather arbitrarily and did not conform to any historical or ethnic boundaries.Ý It was this questionable process of nation building which

… encouraged Saddam Hussein to "question the sovereignty" of Kuwait,

… left the Kurds "homeless" and living as outcasts in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq, and

… created a "Palestinian state" -- the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan -- in a parcel of land originally promised to Israel.

The Middle East's long history of domination and oppression has spawned much of the hostility and mistrust that we are witnessing today.Ý

Today...

… the Arabs claim "ownership" of Israel based upon Islamic conquest of Israel between the 7th and 10th centuries.

… the Arabs dislike the Turks because of Turkish domination during the Ottoman Empire.Ý

… the Arabs distrust the Iranians because they are Persian not Arab, despite the fact that they are fellow Moslems

… the Arabs and Israelis distrust the Europeans because of the Crusades and European colonialism after World War I.

Today, the Middle East is like the world's most contentious "family gathering" - - with brawling brothers, knock-down, drag out inheritance fights, thieving cousins, petty bickering, religious arguments, and grudge matches that outlive their originators.Ý The only thing upon which they can agree is their hatred for the family black sheep -- Israel.Ý And as with every family gathering that turns violent, soon the "police" will be called in.Ý

While the other nations of the world share this ìfamily contemptî for Israel, the Creator of the Universe does not.Ý As we have discussed in previous chapters, we will soon be seeing the nations of the world negotiating and possible imposing a Middle East Peace Treaty.Ý This peace treaty will not secure Israel's future.Ý However, Israel has the ultimate Judge looking out for her interests.Ý That Judge has reviewed how each of these "family members" have treated Israel, and has already passed sentence.Ý

THE JUDGEMENT OF BABYLON (IRAQ)

"We know how the war began and how it will end.Ý We are still fuzzy about the middle part."

--Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

In 1990-1991, everyone watched ìGulf War Iî from the comfort of their living rooms.Ý After a mere hundred hours of ground action, everyone believed they knew how it "ended."Ý Oh, yes, there was some humanitarian work to be done, the Iraqiís would soon toss Saddam from power, but none the less, the war was over, the West was victorious and the world rejoiced.

We who live in Western society live in a fast forward reality.Ý We want fast action and immediate closure.Ý We have learned from our video screens that problems can develop and be solved in 120 minutes, given the casting of the appropriate cinematic hero -- enter General Norman Schwartzkopf.Ý While General Schwartzkopf is a hero of Cecil B. DeMille proportions, we would be very naive to believe that he has secured a lasting peace and that we have heard the last of Saddam Hussein.Ý

Well, not so fast.Ý I originally reported back in 1991 that one BIG hint that that the war was not truly "over" is found in the prophetic Word.Ý The prophet Jeremiah seems to have indicated that there would be a break in the action when he wrote:

"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; "The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is stamped firm; YET IN A LITTLE WHILE THE TIME OF HARVEST WILL COME FOR HER."Ý Jeremiah 51:33

I believed then, and I believe now that there is strong, circumstantial and prophetic evidence that we are not just witnesses to another conflict by of the final Fall of Babylon.Ý The period through which we are now living, is just a seventh inning stretch before a cataclysmic judgement.Ý This is the "fuzzy middle part".Ý

While I will not be presumptuous enough to declare this is a certainty.Ý However, if the final judgement of Babylon is in progress, then this war will be a watershed event.Ý It will set up the fulfillment of many other prophecies.Ý Hussein may have correctly labeled Gulf War I as the "Mother of all Battles", for it may be the immediate forerunner of Gulf War II, the Russo-Israeli war and Armageddon itself.

Fallen, Falling(?) Is Babylon

The area occupied by the ancient Babylonians and Chaldeans is now in modern Iraq.Ý The primary prophetic texts dealing with the fall of Babylon are found in Jeremiah 50, 51 and Isaiah 13.Ý Before looking at the similarity between the morning news and these prophecies, it is important to first discuss events to which I believe these prophecies do NOT refer.

Ancient Babylon

Firstly, some interpreters believe that these passages in Jeremiah and Isaiah are referring to the first fall of Babylon.Ý That occurred in 539 B.C. when it fell to the Medo-Persian empire.Ý

I have a problem with that interpretation because of the following inconsistencies between the historical facts and the vision described by the prophets.

(1) In its first fall, Babylon was conquered by a single empire -- Medo-Persia.Ý In the prophetic Word we are told that it will be encircled by many nations from "the farthest horizons".Ý

(2) The prophets describe a cataclysmic destruction of Babylon.Ý However, the first fall of ancient Babylon was not horrifically violent.Ý On the contrary, here is a brief description of the Medo-Persian conquest of Babylon, "When Cyrus personally entered Babylon he was welcomed by the populace.Ý He proclaimed peace to everyone in the city.Ý The temples functioned as usual and care was taken to make the transition to Persian rule as painless as possible.Ý Gobryas was made satrap of the new province of Babirush (i.e., Babylon) and many of the former officials of government were kept at their posts.Ý A citizen of Babylon would have been unaware of the fact that a new era of history had begun."½2

(3) As a result of the destruction described by the prophets, the land of the Chaldeans will become perpetually uninhabitable.Ý This has not historically occurred, at least prior to this writing.

ìMysteryî Babylon

Secondly, some interpreters have correlated these passages with the fall of "Mystery Babylon" found in Revelation 17.Ý I do not believe this is correct.Ý The Revelation passage uses the appellation "mystery".Ý This indicates that the author is presenting a deeper, symbolic thought other than a mere physical location.Ý Rather, Revelation 17 is referring to the Babylonian/Roman religion -- the many mother-and-child centered cults which developed in most cultures.Ý Conversely, Jeremiah tells us in the introduction of chapter 50 that he is speaking about the physical location "Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans" -- modern Iraq.

THE JUDGEMENT OF BABYLON, LAND OF THE CHALDEANS: A PROPHETIC VIEW

Jeremiah and Isaiah depict Babylon as a nation ripe for judgement.Ý She has derived pleasure from oppressing Israel.Ý God Himself directs her destruction, assuming it as His personal "work".Ý He "sets a snare" to bring her to judgement, intending to exact vengeance for His temple and His people.Ý A "great nation and many kings" are "aroused from the remote parts of the earth" to execute His judgement.Ý Turkey and Iran are subsequently called to battle. Jacob, God's "weapon of war", wrecks his vengeance for evil committed by Babylon against Israel.Ý Babylon is skillfully destroyed and is henceforth a perpetual desolation.Ý The land can "never again be inhabited or dwelt in from generation to generation."

It is still too early in the unfolding of Middle East events to definitively state whether or not we have been witnessing the final Fall of Babylon.Ý But there are striking similarities between that which has transpired and the prophecies of Jeremiah and Isaiah.Ý Only the complete fulfillment of these passages can assure us that we have made a "positive ID" of a prophetic fulfillment.Ý Let's look at the circumstantial evidence that we have to date:

The Date Stamp: Israelís Return to the Land

In Jeremiah 50:18-19, the prophet may have given us a "date stamp" for Babylon's destruction.Ý That date stamp directly relates Babylon's destruction to a time of Israel's rebirth and her territorial expansion.Ý This may help explain Hussein's animosity toward Israel, her prosperity means his demise.Ý In the past 45 years we have witnessed the rebirth and growth of the nation of Israel.Ý Israel's population has been swelling as Jewish immigrants from the four corners of the earth have been returning to the Land in record numbers.

Israel has been territorially expanding as well.Ý Since 1948, Israel has been forced to engage in numerous wars with her neighbors to protect the tiny strip of land on which she dwells.Ý As the Arabs have repeatedly encircled her in order to deprive her of that land, by the grace and provision of God she has emerged victorious from every war.

The "Golan Heights" is the modern name for ancient "Bashan".Ý That area was reclaimed by Israel from Syria in the Six Day War of 1967.Ý The territory referred to as "Ephraim" includes much of the West Bank and was recaptured from Jordan during the same war.Ý "Gilead" is the territory along the East Bank of the Jordan River, and at this writing, is part of the Kingdom of Jordan.Ý The following passage from Jeremiah appears to indicate that the judgement of Babylon will occur sometime after this expansion of Israeli territory which occurred in 1967:

"Therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Behold, I am going to punish the king of Babylon and his land, just as I punished the king of Assyria.Ý And I shall bring Israel back to his pasture, and he will graze on Carmel [Northern Israel] and BASHAN [the Golan Heights], and his desire will be satisfied in the hill country of EPHRAIM [the West Bank] and GILEAD [the East Bank].""Ý Jeremiah 50:18-19

God Himself Is The Judge Of Babylon

When Israel was wallowing in idolatry, God used Babylon to punish Israel and destroy the Temple in Jerusalem.Ý Since Babylon conquered Israel in 586 BC, Israel has been oppressed by the Gentiles, and the Holy of Holies was emptied.Ý Even though God Himself is regathering Israel yet a second time, and has given them sovereignty in the Land, they are still not free to reestablish God's Temple on Temple Mount.Ý The final Fall of Babylon is God's personal act of judgement, and vengeance for the atrocities done to His Temple and People.

"...To declare in Zion the vengeance of the Lord our God, vengeance for His temple."Ý Jeremiah 50:28

"...For this is the vengeance of the Lord: take vengeance on her as she has done to others, so do to others."Ý Jeremiah 50:15

"I set A SNARE for you, and you were also caught, O Babylon, while you yourself were not aware; you have been found and also seized because you have engaged in conflict with the Lord.Ý The Lord has opened His armory, and has brought forth the weapons of His indignation, for it is A WORK OF THE LORD God of Hosts in the land of the Chaldeans."Ý Jeremiah 50:24-25

America In Prophecy, At Last(?)

For those who have been desperately looking for the United States in Bible prophecy, the Fall of Babylon could be it!Ý

Firstly, Jeremiah describes the arousal of a "great nation"Ý that is remotely located relative to Iraq.Ý If the Gulf Wars are truly the fulfillment of Jeremiah's and Isaiah's prophecies, then the great nation described here is the U.S.A.:

"Behold, a people is coming from the north, A GREAT NATION and many kings will be aroused FROM THE REMOTE PARTS OF THE EARTH."Ý Jeremiah 50:41

"They are coming from a FAR COUNTRY from the FARTHEST HORIZONS..."Ý Isaiah 13:5

That is a reasonably good description of the United States, which lies oceans away.Ý The press has described the US relative to the ìhorizonî as well.Ý The 1/20/91 New York Times stated that Hussein "knew the Americans were OVER THE HORIZON and believed they were not about to budge."Ý In 2002, when Iran denied a weaponís request from Iraq, the press also described the US relative to the Mid-east horizon:

ìIranís rebuff should help to allay fears that American pressure on both countries could force them into an alliance. ìIt makes no logical sense at this stage for Iran to cosy up to Iraq because of a potential OVER-THE-HORIZON threat from America,î the envoy said.î ²⁰

Secondly, God's army is composed of His "consecrated ones".Ý The United States probably has more believing Christians per capita than any other nation on earth..Ý It is interesting to note that there are many practicing Christians in the armed forces.Ý In fact, during Gulf War I, the Saudi's were shocked that these purported "infidels" from the West actually worship God.Ý

"I have commanded MY CONSECRATED ONES, I have even called My mighty warriors, My proudly exulting ones, to execute My anger.Ý A sound of tumult on the mountains, like that of many people!Ý A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathering together!Ý The Lord of hosts is mustering the army for battle.Ý They are coming from a FAR COUNTRY FROM THE FARTHEST HORIZONS, the Lord and His instruments of indignation, to destroy the whole land."Ý Isaiah 13:3-5

Global Terrorism

So what has ìarousedî this great nation from the remote parts of the earth?Ý In a word, terrorism.Ý Gulf War II is in direct response to terrorism- acts past, present and future.Ý In the wake of the 9/11 Act of War, US President George W. Bush included Iraq in his ìAxis of Evilî enemies list.Ý As information is declassified in the future, perhaps we will eventually know the full extent of Saddamís involvement in terror attacks on US soil.Ý

For years the world has known that Iraq had an arsenal of weapons of mass destruction and a worldwide terror network.Ý Their more recent advances in their delivery systems, including the possibility of having viable intercontinental ballistic missiles means that no one is safe.Ý Iraq has taken and continues to threaten innocent lives WORLDWIDE.Ý The title that Jeremiah gives Babylon, the "Hammer of the Whole Earth" seems to fit Iraq today:

"The noise of battle is in the land, and great destruction.Ý How the HAMMER OF THE WHOLE EARTH has been cut off and broken!Ý How Babylon has become an object of horror among the nations!"Ý Jeremiah 50:23

The end of Iraq will bring a sigh of relief to Israel and the worldÖ

ìTheir Redeemer is strong, the Lord of hosts is His name; He will vigorously plead their case.Ý SO THAT HE MAY BRING REST TO THE EARTH, but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.î Jeremiah 50:34

Another reason for attacking Iraq and removing Saddam from the total equation of the Middle East is OIL.Ý The nations are addicted to the Middle East's oil and their economies cannot function without it.Ý They will do anything to guarantee their continued supply.Ý Jeremiah provides a simile for that addiction:

"Babylon has been a golden cup in the hand of the Lord, intoxicating all the earth.Ý The nations have drunk of her wine; therefore the nations are going mad."Ý Jeremiah 51:7

Attack from the "North"

In the run up to Gulf War II, the newspapers have been publishing different versions of US battle plans.Ý Some think it is the work of traitors, other think it is US propaganda.Ý If our application of these passages from Jeremiah are truly applicable to our day, we have better intelligence than the NY Times:

ìFor a nation has come up against her out of the NORTH; it will make her land an object of horor, and there will be no inhabitant in it.Ý Both man and beast have wandered off, they have gone awayîÝÝ Jeremiah 50:3

"For behold, I am going to arouse and bring up against Babylon a HORDE OF GREAT NATIONS FROM THE LAND OF THE NORTH, and they will draw up their battle lines against her..."Ý Jeremiah 50:9

Even Saddamís gut has told him that the primary assault of Gulf War II will come from the north:

ÝìSaddam said he disbelieved the reports that the American war plan entailed strikes from the north, west and south, using personnel and facilities already in place in the Kurdish provinces of Iraq, in Jordan and in the Gulf. These stories, he said, were false, planted in the media to confuse him and his army chiefs. He was convinced that the brunt of the American assault would focus on Saddamís personal tribal territory, the northwest region of Tirkit. By destroying the source of his political and military strength, the Americans would cancel Tikrit out as a value in the Iraqi power equation, removing both Saddam and his two sons, Qusay and Uday.î ²¹

Utter Destruction Of Cities

Unlike the result of the historical fall of Babylon, Jeremiah describes the final Fall of Babylon to include the utter desolation of Babylon's cities:

"Her cities have become an object of horror, a parched land and a desert, a land in which no man lives, and through which no son of man passes."Ý Jeremiah 51:43

What would motivate such a horrific assault on population centers?Ý Perhaps Saddamís recently leaked battle plans hold the answer:

ÝìIraqi dictator Saddam Hussein has told underlings he aims to defeat any U.S. attack by avoiding desert warfare and fighting in major cities, where civilian and American casualties would be highest, the Los Angeles Times reported Thursday. Ö"Urban fighting is one of the most daunting scenarios U.S. military planners face. Baghdad in particular is a sprawling setting, where Hussein's forces would have significant advantages," the Times said. ÖAs always, Saddam has no compunction about exploiting his subjects as human shields. The higher the death toll, the louder the cries from the blame-America-first left, domestic and foreign.Ý "Military targets in Baghdad are sprinkled among a population approaching 5 million.îî ²²

Gulf War II-- After The Intermission

In Jeremiah 51, we find the following passage which appears to indicate that there would be a pause between the "pounding" of Iraq and the "harvest" of her judgement:

"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel:Ý "The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is stamped firm; yet in a little while the time of harvest will come for her."Ý Jeremiah 51:33

However, if we are about to witness ìThe Harvestî, what can we expect to see in the near future?

Intervention by Turkey, Kurdistan and Iran

Jeremiah has prophesied that the "Medes" and the kings of "Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz" would participate in Babylon's fall.Ý Who are these folks?Ý Ararat, Minni and Ashkenaz were areas now located in Western Turkey.Ý "Some scholars say the Kurds are descended from the Medes."⁴Ý The Medes occupied an area which is now in Northern Iran.Ý Therefore, Jeremiah could be speaking about the Iranians or the Kurds.Ý The leaders Turkey and the Kurds have certainly been working closely with Washington and will play a major role in Gulf War II:

"...Summon against her the kingdoms of ARARAT, MINNI AND ASHKENAZ..."Ý Jeremiah 51:27

"Consecrate the nations against her, the KINGS OF THE MEDES, THEIR GOVERNORS and all their PREFECTS, and EVERY LAND of their dominion."Ý Jeremiah 51:28

Even before Gulf War I ended, analysts were predicting that a weakened or destroyed Iraq might face dismemberment at the hands of her neighbors.Ý Turkey, Iran and Syria politically and militarily positioned themselves for just such a move.Ý Each distrusts the motives of the others and will be ready to pounce if they think another nation will beat them to the punch.Ý If Iran makes a major military move when Iraq falls, Turkey and Syria would be pressured to respond in kind, just to protect their own interests and borders.

Hostility Towards Israel

Hussein, a secularist, has not only declared war on Israel but on her God as well.Ý He has called all Moslems to rise up in a holy war and liberate Palestine from the "infidels".Ý He has set himself in direct opposition to God's work of regathering the nation of Israel.Ý Is there any wonder that God will judge him and his nation?

"...Repay her according to her work; according to all that she has done, so do to her; for she has become ARROGANT AGAINST THE LORD, AGAINST THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL."Ý Jeremiah 50:29

Surprise Iraq Attack Through Jordan

Saddam has been plotting a surprise for the Israelis and Americans - - an attack through Jordan.Ý His plans are beginning to be uncovered in the press:

ìIraqi military intelligence units thrusting into Jordan to take over the kingdomís main roads and open them to a large-scale invasion of Iraqi armored divisions, which will sweep up the Jordanian army and take control of the kingdom. The rush of events will, according to the Baghdad scenario, force King Abdullah to turn his back on the Americans and accept the role of Iraqi puppet ruler. Meanwhile, the Iraqi invasion force will proceed to wipe out the American and Israeli expeditionary forces in Jordan. ÖAwareness of this Iraqi scenario was at the bottom of the US war commandís decision to rush the extra 4,000 American troops to take control of Jordanís strategic road links. Ö. Jordanian intelligence officials have dubbed Nawis, who operates out of the Iraqi embassy in Amman, ìthe Iraqi pashaî (Iraqi governor) of Jordan, a mark of his power and broad operational reach. They report he has been able to insert a group of his Palestinian agents into the West Bank, secreting them across the Jordan River bridges with the help of local smugglers. This is confirmed by American and Israeli intelligence. The agents are equipped with nuclear and biological weapons systems after receiving training in their use from their Iraqi controllers. Their orders are to activate those weapons upon a pre-arranged signal.î ²³

Perhaps this plot was first unveiled by Jeremiah.Ý (We will see later in this chapter that the kingdom of Babylon was seen by the prophet Daniel as a winged lion.):

ìBehold, one will come up like a lion from the thicket of the Jordan to a perennially watered pasture; for in an instant I will make them run way from it, and whoever is chosen I shall appoint over it.î Jeremiah 50:44 (also 49:19)

Retaliation by Israel

Israel by definition means "soldier of God."Ý Ezekiel tells us that when God regathers Israel, just as He is doing in our day, Israel will be raised from the grave as "an exceedingly great army."⁵Ý Jeremiah indicates that Israel, this great military power, will play a key role in God's judgement of Babylon.Ý During Gulf War I, Israel was passive and silent.Ý Gulf War II will unleash Godís Ultimate Weapon:

"The portion of Jacob is not like these; for the Maker of all is He, and of the tribe of His inheritance; the Lord of hosts is His name.Ý He says, "YOU ARE MY WAR-CLUB, MY WEAPON OF WAR; and with you I shatter nations, and with you I destroy kingdoms, and with you I shatter the horse and his rider, and with you I shatter the chariot and its rider, and with you I shatter the chariot and its rider, and with you I shatter man and woman, and with you I shatter old man and youth, and with you I shatter young man and virgin, and with you I shatter the shepherd and his flock, and with you I shatter the farmer and his team , and with you I shatter governors and prefects.Ý But I will REPAY BABYLON AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF CHALDEA FOR ALL THEIR EVIL THAT THEY HAVE DONE IN ZION BEFORE YOUR EYES," declares the Lord."Ý Jeremiah 51:19-24

During Gulf War I, Israel showed great, uncharacteristic restraint by not responding to repeated Iraqi missile attacks in order to guarantee the cohesiveness of the coalition. Many in Israel feared correctly that their restraint had been viewed as a sign of weakness.Ý The Intifada and wave after wave of terrorism was their reward.Ý When God provides the Israelis with the opportunity to retaliate, their blow will be devastating.

Measured Response

During the Gulf War I, there was great concern that the Iraqis would employ weapons of mass destruction.Ý When coalition forces used napalm to ignite the Iraqi oil trenches, it was feared that this would open the door for the use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons.Ý The coalition forces intentionally restricted their arsenal to conventional weapons and used a strategy of "measured response" to avoid escalation.

As Gulf War II looms, it is feared that Iraq will pre-emptively unleash weapons of mass destruction on Israel and US forces in the Middle East.Ý American Intelligence presented the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee with the following assessment of an expected Israeli response to such an attack:

ìIf Iraq strikes at Israel with non-conventional weapons, causing massive casualties among the civilian population, Israel could respond with a nuclear retaliation that would eradicate Iraq as a country.î ²⁴

Jeremiah tells us that Babylon will be rewarded according to her works.Ý If Iraq uses WMD, it will surely result in her ultimate and perpetual destruction:

"...Repay her according to her work; according to all that she has done, so do to her..."Ý Jeremiah 50:29

The Fall Of Babylon - -The End Of Iraq

The prophets are explicit about the Fall of Babylon and the final state of Iraq -- it will be a perpetual devastation.Ý Will there own weapons stores destroy their own nation?Ý Will Israel or the US be ruthless in their strike? Be it through nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, Iraq will become uninhabitable FOREVER and Hussein's palaces will be the inheritance of jackals.

"...Thou, O Lord, hast promised concerning this place [Babylon] to cut it off, so that there will be nothing dwelling in it, whether man or beast, but it will be a PERPETUAL DESOLATION."Ý Jeremiah 51:62

"Therefore the desert creatures will live there along with the jackels; the ostriches also will live in it, and it will never again be inhabited or dwelt in from generation to generation.Ý As when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah with its neighbors," declares the Lord, "No man will live there, nor will any son of man reside in it.""Ý Jeremiah 50:39-40

"And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans' pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.Ý It will never be inhabited or lived in from generation to generation; nor will the Arab pitch his tent there, nor will shepherds make their flocks lie down there.Ý But desert creatures will lie down there, and their houses will be full of owls, ostriches also will live there, and shaggy goats will frolic there.Ý And hyenas will howl in their fortified towers and jackals in their luxurious palaces..."Ý Isaiah 14:19-22

FALL OF THE MODERN KING OF BABYLON

Saddam Hussein fancies himself as King of Babylon, comparing himself favorably to Nebuchadnezzar.Ý As reported in the 4/19/89 New York Times, he has rebuilt the temples and palaces of ancient Babylon as his predecessor had requested and is working on the empire.Ý In that Nebuchadnezzar's vast empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea, his nervous neighbors were not pleased by his use of the comparison.

His hero, Nebuchadnezzar, was a proud man transformed.Ý Daniel told him (5:31-37) that as a result of his pride he would become mad until he recognized that "the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it [sovereignty] on whomever He wishes."Ý Nebuchadnezzar did become mad for seven years.Ý His madness passed when he confessed, "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride."Ý When Daniel had a vision of the Babylonian empire, it was seen as a winged lion.Ý It rose to walk on two feet and was given the mind of a man.Ý This vision may represent Nebuchadnezzar's spiritual transformation.

God used Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon to punish Israel's idolatry.Ý On January 15, 588 BC his assault against Israel began.Ý The Jews were to spend the next 70 years in "Babylonian exile".Ý In 586 BC, he looted and burned God's temple, taking its treasures to Babylon.Ý It was not until Babylon was overthrown by the Medo-Persians, that Israel was allowed to return to rebuild the Lord's temple and their land.

Hussein is also a prideful man.Ý He longs to destroy Israel.Ý He also intends to punish Israel without God's approval.Ý His pride has become arrogance.⁸Ý That arrogance will be judged by God Himself.

Ý

Isaiah 14 And The Fall Of The King

The fourteenth chapter of Isaiah gives us a detailed picture of the demise of a Babylonian ruler.Ý Is it possible that the ruler being described is Saddam Hussein?Ý Again, there is strong circumstantial evidence that it is, but only time will tell.

We are provided with a "date stamp" for this prophecy in the first verses of this chapter.Ý The fall of this king will occur after Israel is 'again' settled in her land.Ý Could this refer to an unspecified period after 1948 when Israel regained her sovereignty after some 2500 years of occupation that began with Babylon?

"When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob, and AGAIN CHOOSE ISRAEL, AND SETTLE THEM IN THEIR OWN LAND...And it will be in the day when the Lord gives you rest from your pain and turmoil and harsh service in which you have been enslaved that you will take up this taunt against the king of Babylon..."⁹

Isaiah describes the details of the king of Babylon's fall.Ý Is this the fall of Saddam Hussein?

… Isaiahís ruler has been striking "the peoples in fury with unceasing strokes, which subdued the nations in anger with unrestrained persecution." (v.6)ÝÝ Consider Hussein's eight year war with Iran, immediately followed by his annexation of Kuwait and his frustrated attempt to invade Saudi Arabia, his gassing of the Kurds, his oppression of the Shiite Moslems, and his bombing of Israel, his sponsorship of terrorism worldwideÖ.

… Isaiahís ruler has disquieted the entire world.Ý It is asked, "Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook the kingdoms..."(v.16)Ý He has "weakened the nations."(v.12)Ý At his fall, "The whole earth is at rest and is quiet; they break forth into shouts of joy". (v.7)Ý Hussein has invaded some nations, attacked others, threatened the remainder of the world with his terror network, caused political division in most nations as they discussed response to his aggression, and cause widespread economic instability and debt.Ý His passing would certainly be cause for relief.