Once again, events in the Middle East have jarred the consciousness of the world, leaving no doubt of the vital importance of that region. For the Bible student, it is a reaffirmation that the hand of God is at work, leading events to the end we are waiting for.
The current situation seems particularly ominous, and it is difficult to say exactly what effect these events will have on future developments. Iraq has a position that must be intriguing to students of prophecy for it includes in its boundaries the ancient capitals of both Assyria and Babylon.
Caution is called for when appraising events that are happening now. There is always the temptation to see what is immediately before us as the ultimate fulfillment of major prophecies. Often it is only after the event that we are able to put the situation in perspective. Strong assertions relating to current events can damage the preacher’s credibility when circumstances change.
Don’t forget the basics
A correct interpretation of current events must fit the basic prophetic picture. In retrospect, everything was much simpler to piece together a few years ago when the major prophecies had seen fulfillment. The Ottoman empire had faded away followed by the British mandate regarding Palestine. Many Jews returned to the land and established the Jewish state in 1948. At that point, it seemed nothing more needed to be done — the return of the Lord was surely imminent.
There have been other clear milestones, the 1967 securing of Jerusalem by Israel, but generally the picture has become more complicated.
We must not forget, however, that we saw Bible prophecies fulfilled in a most remarkable way. These events confirmed the main lines of our understanding of prophetic teaching and set the stage for what has transpired since then.
Back to Daniel
Some of the clearest prophecies relating to the latter days are in the book of Daniel. The second chapter has few ambiguities. These prophecies must be kept in view when we try to understand what is going on in the world. Little exposition is needed to comprehend Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2. The prophet is careful to provide all the clues. That prophecy brings us to the time of the end with our eyes focused on the remnants of the Roman Empire– the kingdom of men to be replaced by the kingdom of the little stone.
An important point to keep in mind in reading Daniel 2 is that the ten toe kingdoms are those nations that have replaced the Roman Empire. They cannot be taken to represent the Arabic nations. As each succeeding empire replaces another in the image vision, it assumes the territory of the ruling power it has succeeded. The feet or toes of the image cannot be wrested from the Roman legs and made to represent a group of nations that were peripheral to the Roman world. The feet and toes must logically correspond to the area that made up that empire. The nations represented in the final phase of the image cannot refer to the Arabic nations, except insofar as they are a part of the “kingdoms of men.”
The Arabs in prophecy
That is not to say there are no other prophecies which relate to the Arabs in the last days. A distinction should be made, however, between prophecies relating to 1) Edom, 2) Ishmael and 3) Babylon.
- Edom was to become a waste. Its destiny: extinction. Prophecies relating to Edom (Esau, the Idumeans) have been fulfilled. Jer. 49:13; Obad. 10,18; Ezk. 25:13 and 35:14,15 all speak of the demise of Edom. Edom no longer exists as a distinct people. Its descendants have been absorbed into the Jewish and Arabic worlds. When Edom does appear in latter-day prophecies, it is as a figure for the Gentiles (as in Isa. 63) or it appears in conjunction with Moab and merely identifies the land area. Edom-Moab equates to present day Jordan-Saudi Arabia.
- Ishmael (Moab, Ammon, Midian) is to remain and will retain their identity (cp. Jer. 48:47 Moab ultimately spared which contrasts with the fate of Edom). The Arabs are to be a subject people in the kingdom of God (Isa. 60:6-7; Psa. 72:10). At some point, the Arab nations will be subdued and finally brought to accept the leadership of Messiah.
Certainly the Arabs are playing a major role in the development of events in the Middle East. It is no coincidence that they have a corner on the world’s oil production. Their danger to Israel cannot be questioned. But in the final analysis, they are supporting players in the drama of the last days. The Arabs, never quite conquered by the Romans, were a thorn in the side of Israel in the days of the Herod’s. They continue to fill that role. They will perhaps help to precipitate events leading to Armageddon. - Babylon “…shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation…” (Isa. 13:19).
The Hebrew prophets declared unequivocally that Babylon would be destroyed and remain a desolation forever. A heap of ruins is all that remains of her and despite the intentions of Saddam Hussein to rebuild the city, it will never again be a place for the dwelling of people. The site of Babylon may be in Iraq, but that country is not Babylon and Mr. Hussein is not Nebuchadnezzar.
The latter-day Babylon, spoken of in the Revelation, is so called as part of the symbolic imagery of the book. The apostle John is careful to provide the clues which identify mystic Babylon as Rome and the religious system that grew out of it (Rev. 17, 18).
A final word
As the generation of believers living so close to the return of our Lord, it behooves us to study carefully the prophetic word. It is true that we cannot know all the details as to how God’s purpose will work itself out. We may continue to be surprised at some of the events as they transpire. But we need to understand the essentials so that we will not be misled.
Whatever the outcome of the present crisis in the Middle East, there can be little doubt that now is the time for the trimming of lamps by the disciples of Christ. These events are doubtless tremors, birth pangs if you will, that will lead us very soon to the coming of our Master. Let us labor to be ready to meet him when he comes.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One