Although 1994 is not over, its signs of Christ’s coming continue to be noteworthy. The changes occurring this past month are typical of the year. There was no one catastrophic event but a lot of smaller, yet significant, ones occurring in varied locales. From the cult murders in Quebec and Switzerland, to the Iraqi arms buildup along the Kuwaiti border, strife and turmoil are clearly seen. This month, we consider four unique, yet distinctive, events which, when combined, herald the return.
Iraq, flexing its muscles again
Four years ago, Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait, triggering a massive military response by the United States and many of its allies. They not only drove the Iraqis out of Kuwait but destroyed much of the Iraqi military. In the wake of the war, the United Nations Security Council imposed harsh economic sanctions on Iraq. These sanctions were intended to force the country to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction and recognize the legitimacy of Kuwait. As the Toronto Globe and Mail reported: “The sanctions have reduced Iraq’s oil exports to a trickle, and have cost Baghdad dearly. The economy has been crippled, and the government announced last week that it is no longer capable of subsidizing rations for the people” (Oct. 8, 1994).
Saddam Hussein has always been unpredictable. When he invaded Iran in 1980 he took everyone by surprise. The same was true when he invaded Kuwait ten years later. Last month, as improbable as it may seem, he began to amass troops on the Iraq-Kuwaiti border. “Iraq had moved 10,000 troops, including forces from its elite Hammurabi division, to an area near Basram about 25 miles from the Kuwaiti border, bringing the total number of Iraqi troops in the area to between 40,000 and 50,000” (Associated Press, Oct. 8, 1994).
We are thus reminded as to how quickly a match can be lit igniting conflict in the area.
The Israeli economy
In the early 1970’s, the Israeli economy was stagnant and an exodus began that took many of its best people away from the country. The Arab boycott, leveled against Israel shortly after the state was established in 1948, prevented Israel from selling any of its products to its closest neighbors. As a result, those Israeli organizations seeking to export were forced to sell further afield, in Europe or North America, shipping their products by air or sea.
On Monday, October 3, 1994, a barrier to Israel’s development was removed: “Another barrier to Middle East peace came tumbling down this weekend as the six oil-rich Arab members of the Gulf Co-operation Council announced they will no longer boycott companies that do business with Israel” (Toronto Globe and Mail).
This means that Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, U.A.E. and Oman have abandoned their so-called secondary and tertiary Israeli boycotts. As such, companies can now do business with Israel or Israeli companies without the risk that they will be barred from doing business in these rich Arab states. Investment in the Israeli economy is bound to increase as a direct result of the removal of these sanctions. An important question presents itself: Could the increased investment be part of the potential spoil that is spoken of in Ezekiel 38?
Cultists
During the first week of October, a total of 58 bodies were found in three separate locations in both Canada and Switzerland. All of the bodies belonged to a secretive religious organization called the Order of the Solar Temple. Like most cults, this organization was led by a charismatic “brilliant” power-seeking preacher, more concerned for his own welfare and financial gain than for the spiritual health of his followers. The New York Times reports: “Only a few entered the secretive and mystical world of the Solar Order, and to join they had to contribute money and accept severe discipline” (Oct. 9, 1994).
As the scriptures clearly declare: “For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (II Tim 4:3,4 NIV).
Peace with Israel
In his opening address to a new session of parliament, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin gave strong indications that peace between Israel and Syria was close at hand. Mr. Rabin stated during the address: “My decision, our decision in the government, is to give peace with Syria a chance — a chance that never existed before. Peace with Syria is, to a great extent, the key to comprehensive peace.”
His point was that Israel could not let the opportunity slip by for another may not come along. In order to achieve peace with Syria, Mr. Rabin is proposing to return all, or at least a portion, of the Golan Heights. During the 1967 Middle East war, the Israeli army led by Mr. Rabin captured the Golan Heights. It has since been described by successive governments as indispensable to Israel’s security.
Mr. Rabin’s proposition goes against the advice of his generals as well as the opinion of the Israeli population. In September, the leaders of the local Golan Heights government held a hunger strike to rally support to maintain the Heights. The New York Times reported on October 9, 1994, “Some 250,000 Israelis, about 5% of the population, visited the fasters to show support for their cause.” Can peace, even as a temporary condition, be achieved by Mr. Rabin? We remember the words: “While people are saying, ‘Peace and safety,’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape” (I Thes. 5:3 RSV).
As we view the uncertainty of our time, we pray that the unrest and chaos is a portent of the return of the King.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One