We thank God for the hope we all share in the kingdom of God and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Non-believers of God’s purpose are hopeful that, at some point, the United Nations can solve the problems of the Middle East and bring peace to that part of the world. Newspapers all over the globe proclaim that the peace process is working and it is only a matter of time before the U.N. finally succeeds in achieving their desired end.
Conversely, Bible students realize that the scriptures are clear in their description of the latter days. “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 Thess. 5:3 NIV). In other words, the politicians of the world will claim that peace has finally come to the land. Unfortunately, it will be a false peace, claimed but not committed, heralded but not enacted. Following is a consideration of developments in the Middle East peace process relating to Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Palestine.
Iraq
On March 4, 1995, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announced that Iraqi President Sadaam Hussein proclaimed his intention to seek peace with Israel. Apparently, he realizes that he can no longer be a lone aggressor against Israel. With both Jordan and the Palestinians proclaiming peace with Israel, Hussein had finally seen fit to enter into discussions with his former enemy. In the span of four years, Hussein has come full circle. In 1991, he enticed the people of Iraq with the claim he would conquer Kuwait and then march toward Jerusalem. In 1995, he entertains peace with Israel.
Hussein’s efforts to seek peace are coincident with the actions of the United States as they seek to extend sanctions against Iraq. The U.S. has been sharing intelligence data, including satellite photos, with other Security Council members in hope that Gulf War sanctions would be extended. As cited in the New York Times, “New evidence of an Iraqi military buildup has helped the United States beat back an effort to lift United Nations sanctions against Baghdad” (March 5, 1995).
Evidently, France and Russia, Iraq’s closest partners before its invasion of Kuwait in 1990, with quiet support by China, have been arguing for nearly a year that Iraq is on the verge of complying with Security Council demands to eliminate key weapons programs and therefore should have the legal right to export its oil on the open market. The United States and Britain have strongly disagreed, insisting on maximum Iraqi compliance with United Nations demands.
In anticipation of a French-Russian initiative within the next several weeks, the U.S. has held face-to-face meetings with nine Security Council members. According to the New York Times, “The U.S. dazzled foreign officials with an array of satellite photos showing that Hussein had rebuilt the country’s largest chemical weapons’ production plant which had been destroyed in 1991. Another set of photographs showed that Iraq had rebuilt two major ballistic missile factories and had also incorporated into the Iraqi military sophisticated military hardware stolen from Kuwait.”
Jordan
The strain of the Middle East peace accord is beginning to show in Jordan. The accord, which was negotiated by Jordan’s King Hussein without much consultation with factions in Jordan, is now fazing opposition from many sectors within the country. According to the Economist magazine, “Jordanians are making their feelings known in a number of ways. Last week, for instance, the government was foiled in its bid to get parliament to repeal outdated legislation that banned contact or trade with Israel. The opposition Islamic Action Front together with some smaller parties, boycotted the session, leaving the 80-seat chamber four members short of a quorum. The old laws will now remain on the books until parliament is reconvened, probably in the early summer” (March 4, 1995). In addition, twelve professional associations with a total of 80,000 members — doctors, nurses, lawyers and engineers — have announced their own boycott of Israel.
Palestine
After months of standing still, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization have agreed to set a target for expanding Palestinian self-rule. In the mean time, current activities hardly speak of any true and lasting peace. Since January 22, 1995, Israel has kept the Palestinians cooped up. The virtual house arrest was implemented as a result of a suicide bombing that killed 21 Israelis on January 22, 1995. As a result, the borders, where about 60,000 workers crossed on a daily basis, have been closed since January.
What we witness today is not peace. The Jordanian king proclaims peace to his people which many do not acknowledge, Iraq’s President Hussein seeks peace only to get relief of sanctions within the P.L.O. peace is much talked about but shows little practical effect. Indeed, the world’s political leaders are claiming peace is being achieved when little is being done. As a result, we should look for sudden destruction in the near future.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One