The U.S. and Middle East Turmoil

Daniel 2:21, "And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise, and knowledge to those who have understanding."

For the last several weeks national news has been more and more filled with protests and turmoil from the middle east. What started in Tunisia in mid-December and then moved to Yemen has come to crisis level in Egypt this last week. While most of the secular media seems eager to portray this as political unrest, their is no denying that all of the turmoil we see in the middle east right now stems from the desire of Islamic fundamentalists to gain political power and install regimes that would be anti-American and even more anti-Israel. It places the United States in basically an un-winnable position: support authoritarian regimes that are secular yet repress people, or allow an Islamic revolution to occur that would empower radical elements who repress people and would be clear enemies of the U.S. Either way, whether in the short term through these governments being fully overthrown, or in the long term, by further stoking Islamic opposition and radicalism, the U.S. and Israel will lose.

This may seem quite defeatist. Surely a nation as powerful as the United States can apply influence to calm these fires of rebellion and maintain the precarious peace, lack of all out war, that exists in the middle east, can't we? Not if history and the scriptures are any indication. The fires of revolution are erupting all across the Islamic world, not just in these countries that are getting the headlines right now. Turkey, once a secular ally of the U.S. and Israel, has been taken over through peaceful means and now boasts a fundamentalist Islamic regime. Lebanon just this month became a state completely controlled by the terrorist group Hezbollah. Pakistan is in the midst of an Islamic revolt fueled by the Al-Queda elements hiding from our troops in Afghanistan where this battle has been raging for 10 years. The Palestinian conflict is nowhere near resolution. Iraq since the withdraw of most of our troops, is sliding toward a more radical Islamic attitude. Iran is the gas that's igniting these fires. Jordan, along with Egypt, the strongest ally of the U.S. and Israel in the middle east is experiencing the embers of this same sort of uprising. Across the globe, radical enemies of the U.S. and Israel are ascending to power, and we appear powerless to stop it.

In Egypt, where a peace treaty with Israel has been effective for 30 years, the transfer of power appears imminent. President(dictator) Hasni Mubarak, who has maintained the peace with Israel and been an ally of the U.S. in the middle east, will not remain in power. Unlike the armies that it brought against Israel in the 1967 war, Egypt has a military establishment now that has been reinforced by the United States for these last 30 years and is now at least technologically close with that of Israel, and has far more manpower. The one who appears to be poised to eventually take power, Muhammad el Baradai, is the same former U.N. representative who shielded and denied Iran's nuclear program for years. He has stated publicly that when he ascends to power he will formally recognize the terrorist group Hamas in Gaza on Israel's southern border. Egypt will once again become an active, instead of a passive enemy of Israel and the U.S. even if it begins behind the scenes. Jordan, the only other middle eastern nation with a peace agreement with Israel, is poised to follow this same path to Islamic extremism. If, when, Egypt and Jordan fall, Israel will be fully surrounded by publicly declared enemies.

The consequences for Israel in all of this turmoil are obvious. They face an enemy whose stated goal is to drive the nation into the sea and eliminate the state of Israel and as much as possible, the Jewish people. This is a doctrine straight from the pits of hell, as Satan has tried this many times in the past. But what are the consequences for the U.S., and what will we do?

As I stated earlier, I believe this is a no win situation. If Egypt falls, and the Suez canal is affected impacting the flow of oil from Saudi Arabia, the immediate impact could be a huge spike in oil and gas prices. While the devastation on our economy this would cause would be serious, it is not remotely the worst that could come of this. The current administration has already shown a pattern of backing away from Israel as a staunch ally. What would the consequences be if for economic stability we fully withdrew support from Israel to keep the oil flowing? Israel, armed with it's own nuclear arsenal, could be placed in a position where it is largely outnumbered and may have no other choice than to tactically defend itself with weapons of mass destruction. Basically, we're talking World War III. For those who believe the bible as God's inerrant word, the promise of God in Genesis 12:3 would be tested. Here God promises to bless those who bless the chosen descendants of Abraham, through Issac and Jacob. Those descendants are the Jewish people. He also promises to curse those who curse those descendants. As one who believes this, I contend the wrath of God, through natural and supernatural means would be turned upon our nation.

This blog is written as an observation of these events. As a Christian, I believe their is only one solution to these problems, and it is not a political or military one. I do not believe their is a human means of resolution to these issues. The world scoffs at this point of view, but it is what the bible teaches. One day Antichrist will bring a false peace that lasts 3 1/2 years, but that is merely a prelude to the one solution that will triumph. That solution is Jesus. The only problem for the unbelieving world with that point of view is that the bible clearly states that these problems will not be resolved until Christ Himself returns to establish His kingdom. That is a truth I rejoice in and look forward to. But for those who do not know Christ, it is a day of judgment.

So how should we take solace in these events that almost surely will lead to eventual global chaos? The verses in Daniel that begin this blog are where we should rest. Whatever we see happening, we must have faith, that even though the forces that appear to be coming to more and more power clearly oppose the God of the bible and do not represent His holy will, these events are being allowed to occur through His permissive will. They will further the march toward His kingdom. Our God is sovereign and in control, even when it appears He is not. "All things work to the good for those who love God." Even things which appear to be throwing our world into a time of crisis we have never seen, where nuclear conflict will be a major threat and player. As ludicrous as this may sound to those who read it and do not believe the words of scripture, the holy bible has foretold all of the coming conflict. The only way to truly have peace is to come to faith in Jesus Christ. Do you know Him? Have you been "born again" in Christ? Do you have peace even in the midst of the fiery furnace? If you do not, I implore you to receive Jesus into your heart; confess, repent and ask forgiveness for your sins; and follow the one true "King of Kings," and "Lord of Lords." Jesus told us that in this world, we would have "tribulations." But He has overcome the world. The only way we can overcome, is through Jesus.