Middle East Update
It is quite apparent that our planet is in a state of change. Is this change significant, long lasting, beneficial or even expected? That is a complex question requiring a look at history, prophecy and current trends to see if there are any correlations. Since many to most are not familiar with world events or trends, I will try to be both brief and concise.
Lets first look at a Muslim movement considered by many as “The most influential Islamist movement in the world today”. This group is called the Muslim Brotherhood and was founded in the 1920’s as a reform group to bring Islam to the forefront of Muslim life. This would include politics, economy and daily familial governance. It originated in Egypt and was ruled illegal by the dictatorship of Egypt due to it’s ideological focus instead of that of growth and the greater good of the wealth of the state (which was also of a particular family or party). Obviously greed and selfishness often overrules theology and ideology, and often holds most of the organized power therefore it would be decades before there would be enough momentum to gain military impact. The Muslim Brotherhood began as a militant revolutionary group, but evolved into a conservative governmental party representing approximately 60% of Muslim society. In the 1980’s and 90’s, the Brotherhood gained a foothold in Egyptian government and in the most recent days has spawned revolution. Current representatives of the Brotherhood proclaim peace and non-violent action even though it’s mantra is “Islam is the solution” and it’s moto is “Allah is our objective; the Qur’an is our constitution; the prophet is our leader; Jihad is our way; and death for the sake of Allah is the highest of our aspirations”. You ponder that one. One quote by one of it’s leaders, Muhammad Ghannem, said, “After President Mubarak steps down and a provisional government is formed, there is a need to dissolve the peace treaty with Israel…The Egyptian people <should> prepare for war against Israel…The Suez Canal should be closed immediately, and the flow of gas from Egypt to Israel should cease in order to bring about the downfall of the Mubarak regime…The people should be prepared for war against Israel, and the world should understand that the Egyptian people are prepared for anything to get rid of this regime.”Another example, which is probably better known, is that of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is a similar group, which began as a revolutionary movement and has grown into the veto power wielding political party in Lebanon. Hezbollah gets its support from Iran and Syria which are both (the majority class) devoted to the overthrow of Israel and the reclamation of its lands to the Muslim world.
The Muslim Brotherhood and Hezbollah have called for revolution in many Muslim nations controlled by authoritarian rulers. Mubarak has been overthrown and King Abdullah II of Jordan and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria are both being directly threatened through public protests. Libya is in a state of civil war. Afghanistan and Oman are in a constant state of division and even Djibouti is facing revolt and military action.
Now does this follow historical precedent? Yes. Typically a country under authoritarian rule will develop an influential middle class, which wants progress and a sense of peace (typically quite legitimate and ultimately selfish goals). Once stability is obtained, the ideologies begin to become more influential again and the country is ripe for seizure by the charismatic idealists. With immediate needs of food, clothing and housing met, it leaves time for higher thought. Examples would be Germany moving from the Kaiser to the Weimer Republic to finally reach the Nazi party. The Shah of Iran was overthrown in favor of a provisional democratic government and ended up with the Ayatollah Khomeini. Russia was ruled by the Tsars, transitioned through a provisional government of liberal rule to end up with the Bolshevik revolution resulting in communism.
How is this significant to our lives? As a Christian, we should immediately see prophecy unfolding. Zechariah 12, Jeremiah 49, Ezekiel 38 and 39, Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17 and 19 are being enacted right before our eyes. There will be a time of peace for Israel just before an attempted annihilation. After this, Israel will once again obtain all of Jerusalem. It’s not a particularly pretty time, but it is eventful. With wars, rumors of wars and the Earth trembling, we may want to pay VERY close attention.
