Israel is in for a tough season ahead friend, but never make the mistake, as many in the church world do, to think Israel will ever go away. The Lord said through Jeremiah that the sun, moon and stars, will cease to give their light before Israel ceases to be a nation. Even with the coming events of the Great Tribulation, God may press Israel sore, but He will never EVER give her up totally to her enemies to be destroyed ever again. Her final end is going to be NATIONAL SALVATION, not national destruction! That is not the same end for the Spirit of Islam and the resulting end of Babylon. Isaiah had a burden, or an oracle of Judgement for the source where the first rebellion against God took place and the last rebellion will also take place.
By Chris McDonald
Isaiah 13:1
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.
Rev. 17:5-6
And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. [6] And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
I am writing this journal on August 10, 2006. The reason I state the date is the fact that less than 24 hours ago British police in Scotland Yard thwarted a well orchestrated and sophisticated attack by Muslim terrorists that sought to blow up in mid air at least 9 planes bound from London to America. The spokesman for Scotland Yard said the plan was a “well conceived plot to carry out mass murder,” in the skies.
There were at least 50 involved in the plot with 24 of those 50 arrested in custody at the time of this writing who planned to smuggle liquid explosives, probably a form of nitroglycerine, get them on the plane, mix them with other substances, then blow the planes up “mid-air,” according to the statement.
I was actually up at 3 AM Eastern Time when the news first started trickling in off the online news wires we monitor daily now as we try to send out updates on the latest headlines from Jerusalem and the Middle East in the ever growing war between Israel and Hezbollah. At 2:30 AM on the 10th I had just posted the main headline from the Jerusalem Post: “U.S. Pressure Causes Israel to Put A 3-Day Hold on Ground Offensive,” into Lebanon. Thirty minutes later, the main headline across Fox News in America was “U.S. Was Target of Mass-Murder Terror Plot,” as the terror alert level was raised to its highest level of “RED.”
It’s funny how things work out sometime and I can promise you that I don’t look at myself as an “expert” on these matters but I remember the sinking feeling I got at 2:30 A.M. reading the headline in the Jerusalem Post. I had actually just sent an email to my brother expressing my deep feeling of concern that “if this is truth in the Jerusalem Post about what America is doing behind the scenes to Israel God is going to remove His hand of protection from off this nation again and we’re going to face another 9-11.”
Let the reader be clear that if America ties Israel’s hands in her fight against Hezbollah terrorism, then God will tie America’s hands in HER fight against terrorism – no matter the form or shape it takes.
I know what some are already saying, “Well, the attack didn’t take place, it was stopped.” Yes it was, but only because God’s mercy and grace to America stopped it, not because we got “lucky,” as I heard one Fox News commentator say early Thursday morning, or because of Scotland Yard’s “skilled investigative” procedures. I’m not taking anything away from the hard work of the men and women in England; God bless their hearts for the diligence they have had in this event, don’t get me wrong. One report actually said Pakistani intelligence also assisted in the arrest of the suspects.
The question is not about what the police and authorities did or didn’t do. God was the one who caused them to be tipped off in this. He could have allowed those planes to take off without warning and we’d had an event as large if not LARGER than 9-11-2001.
It is the opinion of this writer that the plot itself was a warning from God that without His divine protection upon our nation, these same type plots can take place at any moment and if we continue to rebel and resist His mercy extended to us as a nation, He will remove His hand of divine protection once more and we will face tragedy of unprecedented proportions!
The way America ensures her security is not through our great military might or our great hi-tech intelligence gadgetry which monitor these threats world wide on a daily basis. America’s protection is based upon the Words of Almighty God who said to Abraham so long ago that those who support Abraham’s seed through Isaac – the JEWS, Israel – will be BLESSED and those who CURSE Israel, will be CURSED!
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curses thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
If our government, whom I honor and respect as an American citizen, seeks to pressure Israel and put her in jeopardy of defending herself from enemies who have vowed Israel’s destruction, God will send those same enemies against America and see to it WE, not Israel, is destroyed!
Israel is in for a tough season ahead friend, but never make the mistake, as many in the church world do, to think Israel will ever go away. The Lord said through Jeremiah that the sun, moon and stars, will cease to give their light before Israel ceases to be a nation. Even with the coming events of the Great Tribulation, God may press Israel sore, but He will never EVER give her up totally to her enemies to be destroyed ever again. Her final end is going to be NATIONAL SALVATION, not national destruction!
Jeremiah 31:35-36
Thus saith the Lord, which gives the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: [36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
The United States on the other hand does not have that type promise hanging over our country! We were created however to be a BUFFER and PROTECTOR of Israel throughout our history and hers and we would do well to fulfill that destiny!
Having said that let me say this about the current administration in Washington. I believe President Bush is a good man. I know he is not perfect and has made plenty of mistakes in this war on terror but you know we are in unchartered waters as a nation right now.
No president before 9-11-2001 has had to deal with the type enemy this president has had to confront. This enemy is unlike any other because what drives the enemies of Israel and America is an ideology of hatred and a religious spirit known as ISLAM that seeks to destroy the Jews and all those who name the name of Jesus Christ, the SON of the Living God!
Another thing that stands in the way of Islam’s influence over America is the remnant of Holy-Ghost filled, born again people, washed in the blood of the Lamb, who STILL know how to pray and plead the BLOOD of the LORD JESUS CHRIST over this nation and wage war against the powers of darkness through the weapons of spiritual warfare know as prayer and intercession!
As long as there are Christian believers in this nation who STILL trust God neighbor Islam will have a hard time taking foot hold in America. Sadly, however, the church world as it sinks into its worst apostasy since the time of the Reformation, has chosen to embrace Islam as just another religion and label it along side a relationship with Christ as being another way to God.
Men like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Joel Osteen and even T.D. Jakes, have a hard time identifying Islamic terrorists as evil men seeking America’s destruction and even worse have a hard time distinguishing between Islam and true faith in Christ.
Osteen told Larry King about 12 months ago he wasn’t sure that the Muslim had to be born again because of the Muslim’s “sincere” seeking of God. Hybels had a Muslim cleric at Saddleback not too long ago extolling Islam’s rich tradition along side Christianity and told those listening how that “we are all seeking the same path, and walking down the same road.” NEIGHBOR, we’re not all seeking the same path and we’re not all walking down the same Road. There is ONLY ONE ROAD TO GOD and that is through faith in Christ and Him Crucified! Mohammed is NOT the Road to God!
I say what I say next without malice but this writer has great disdain and disgust for those who get on national talk shows and without conviction in their soul declare otherwise! Our so-called “bright lights,” of the modern evangelical church growth movement have become nothing more than spiritual pimps and mouth pieces for one of world’s deadliest and most damnable religions - Islam!
Our disgust and disdain is not towards the Muslim people. My heart breaks over the darkness that covers the minds of those gripped by Islam’s influence just as my heart breaks over the darkness that covers the minds and hearts of Jewish people who do not recognize Jesus Christ as their Messiah. My heart breaks for the darkness that covers the hearts and souls of millions who sit on church pews week end and week out, lost without God, never having been born again by the Spirit of God, who do not know Christ, yet think their saved because they attend church.
Religion has become Satan’s greatest tool and weapon of deception in these last days and it’s only going to get predominantly worse as we near the rapture of the church.
The Mystery of Babylon
We on a path friend very soon to Great Tribulation that is going to envelope the world in one of it’s worst blood baths ever imaginable. Jesus said there has never been a time like it in the past and there will never be a time like it in the future as what will transpire during this season of Jacob’s trouble.
Matthew 24:21
For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Isaiah’s prophetic declaration of the “burden of Babylon,” tells us that other than Israel, Islam will be, at least in some ways, the primary player. Babylon, as we are here addressing, will be rebuilt, whether as a system or a city, or both. This writer believes it will be both.
Ancient Babylon was in Iraq, about 75 miles south of modern Baghdad. What the United States is presently doing in Iraq could very well be setting the stage and laying the ground work that will usher in tremendous change in that country, with commerce one again becoming its greatest activity instead of religion. In other words, even though our leader realizes it not at all, what they are doing is paving the way for the rebuilding of Babylon as a great commercial center in the world, which the Bible predicts for this region. (Rev. 19)
When the Antichrist comes to power, his FIRST headquarters will be Babylon. There is one view that at some point the religion of Islam will give way to Antichrist worship, because he will tolerate no opposition or rival worship. He will demand ALL worship and allegiance to himself, not to any religion otherwise.
As stated, modern Iraq, where U.S. Forces are neck deep in operations at the moment, was once the center of the ancient Babylonian Empire. Baghdad served during the zenith of the Babylonian Empire as the headquarters and center of operation for several dynasties.
Saddam Hussein, the Butcher of Baghdad, hoped he would be the dynasty that would usher Babylon back from the ashes of death, but of course we know now he will not be that person. Like Hitler and the evil dictators before him, his rule has now come to an end and more than likely, his life will more than likely end soon as well. He will never become the leader of the new Islamic crescent or the new king of Babylon. Yet, in the future, with Saddam removed and the country under different leadership, the ancient land of Shinar (IRAQ) could once again expand with wealth from the oil wells and be rebuilt as a strong nation.
The Bible teaches a soon coming season of false peace that will involve Israel and her Arab/Muslim neighbors, but especially her neighbor in Babylon! Out of this same region of the world will arise a new type Islamic republic, one headed by the most violent, blood-thirsty man to have ever lived in history, and who some believe to be one worshipped as Islam’s last prophet-Messiah. The Holy Spirit restrains His appearance at the present but soon he will be revealed to the world in his full identity – and power.
Since the Antichrist does not invade Israel until the middle of the seven-year period, he will be living and ruling from another nation prior to making his move against Israel. The prophet Daniel says this about the Antichrist’s scope of influence at the beginning:
Daniel 11:23
And after the league made with him he shall work deceitfully: for he shall come up, and shall become strong with a small people.
Daniel 7:8
I considered the horns, and, behold, there came up among them another little horn, before whom there were three of the first horns plucked up by the roots: and, behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of man, and a mouth speaking great things.
His authority is identified through the symbol of “a little horn,” and that he will become strong, “with a small people,” which I believe to reference the small Shi’ite branch of modern day Islam. This small branch of Islam is its most violent including groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Al-Aksa Brigades led for years by the late Yasser Arafat.
Daniel’s prophecy indicate that for the first 42 months, the Antichrist will at first not be a well-known powerful leader and will not necessarily have any direct power over the EU, but will control a very small number of people. He will gain his ultimate power through deception, control, manipulation, AND demon spirits.
At some point during the Great Tribulation period, probably in the middle of the week when he breaks the covenant he confirmed with Israel 3 ½ years earlier (Dan. 9:27), Satan himself will empower this man in the middle of the “week,” and place all of hell’s fury inside this man’s heart and soul. An indicator that Iraq will be heavily involved in this end-time, prophetic conflict is found in Revelation. John tells us of activity involving the Euphrates River and a massive, 200-million man army that will cross the river and pass through Iraq.
No other land mass, other than Israel, has a richer prophetic history than Iraq: To summarize Iraq:
It is where the Tower of Babel was built
It is the site of the first global religions and first world government
It was the cradle of civilization, and the area where Abraham lived (in a place called UR) before migrating to the Promised Land
It was home to the five kings with whom Abraham and his servants fought (Gen. 14:1-8)
It is the area where three major world empires of Bible prophecy ruled or set up their kingdoms – Greece, Persia and Babylon
It occupies the territory of ancient Babylon.
It is located in the center of the 10/40 window – a stretch of land mass almost directly in the center of the earth where the largest Muslim populations of the world live and persecution against Jews and Christians is the most intense
It was once the headquarters for the Shi’ite Branch of Islam. Tehran, Iran is now but Baghdad will emerge once again as this branch probably in the near future
It is where Al-Hussein, Mohammad’s grandson, was murdered
It is the land of the Euphrates River
It is located east of Israel, where the Antichrist will “be strong.”
Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon united will form the old Babylon.
It is the area where many Muslims believe the 12th Imam disappeared
It is where Muslims say the Mahdi will re-merge to take possession of the world, forming an Islamic empire, one which we believe is the eighth kingdom spoken of in Revelation, known as the Kingdom of the Beast.
This new Babylon will eventually consists of the areas encompassed by Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. It is not necessary for a future Iraqi leader to continue to rebuild the ancient ruins of Babylon because the SPIRIT of Babylon will be released during the Tribulation and work in the hearts of the Beast and 10 Kings.
Babylon’s Roots
Noah’s flood, men began to rebuild cities in the plains and valleys. One of the first of the many cities was Babel, built by Nimrod, the grandson of Noah through his son, Ham.
Genesis 10:1-10
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth: and unto them were sons born after the flood. [2] The sons of Japheth; Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Tubal, and Meshech, and Tiras. [3] And the sons of Gomer; Ashkenaz, and Riphath, and Togarmah. [4] And the sons of Javan; Elishah, and Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. [5] By these were the isles of the Gentiles divided in their lands; every one after his tongue, after their families, in their nations. [6] And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan. [7] And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Ramah, and Sabtechah: and the sons of Ramah; Sheba, and Dedan. [8] And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. [9] He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. [10] And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
According to Josephus, Babel was built on the plains of Shinar as an act of rebellion against God for sending the flood and destroying the world. Nimrod began erecting a tall tower, intending it to be so high that any future flood waters would never reach the top. Josephus indicates that God destroyed the tower by sending a strong wind.
The “Tower of Babel,” which translated means “confusion,” alluded to the incident recorded in Genesis where God scattered the people by confusing their languages. The modern area of Shinar is modern day Iraq and was known in early history as Mesopotamia.
Scripture next referred to the plains of Shinar when a war raged between four kings from Canaan and five kings from Mesopotamia. The Canaanite army was led by Amraphel, king of Shinar (Genesis 14:1) and his four allies listed in Genesis 14:
Genesis 14:1-5 - And it came to pass in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of nations; [2] That these made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela, which is Zoar. [3] All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea. [4] Twelve years they served Chedorlaomer, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. [5] And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim,
Chedorlaomer, King of Elam – this is modern Persia or near the Iraq, Iran borders
Tidal, king of the nations – this was a king over Gentile tribes
Amraphel, king of Shinar – this was the area of Babel
Arioch, King of Ellasar – a city near Ur in Mesopotamia
The five kings from Mesopotamia ruled from the area of modern Syria and Iraq. Abraham, the father of the Hebrews, went to war against these five kings from the same area where Israel’s worst enemies – Iraq, Iran and Syria – still live to this day and reclaimed the possessions they seized during the battle. Following his war victory, Abraham went to Jerusalem where he met with Melchizedek, the first priest of God.
Since 1979, the countries of Syria and Iraq have led the greatest opposition against the Jews. In 2006, Iran and Syria have now become Israel’s greatest dual threats since the overthrow of Sadaam. These nations have always withstood against the rebirth of Israel, the re-unification of Jerusalem and the return of the Jews to their historic land.
Just as the kings surrounding ancient Babylon initiated the first conflict with the father of the Hebrew race and nation, the future Islamic kings of a new Babylon with instigate the LAST battle against Israel, which will climax in the valley of Megiddo in central Israel. This is Armageddon.
Rev. 16:16
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
After Abraham, the next mention in the Bible of the Babylonian area is found in the prophetic Book of Daniel. By this time Babylon was not just a city built on the Euphrates River, but had grown into a mighty kingdom, overpowering Mesopotamia. King Nebuchadnezzar extended its dominion by conquering Israel and Jerusalem and carrying many Jews captive to Babylon for 70 years, including Daniel the prophet. It was the Babylonian armies who destroyed Solomon’s Temple, seizing the priceless vessels of gold and silver, storing them in the treasure houses of Babylonian gods. (Jeremiah 52)
Ancient Babylon (the area of Iraq today) was eventually seized by the armies of the Medes and the Persians (IRAN) in about 546 B.C. Many years later, the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great conquered the Persians and took possession of Babylon. This was actually a prophetic picture of the coming Antichrist who will be empowered by a similar “prince,” to that of the one who empowered Alexander to conquer Babylon, known as the “prince of Grecia.”
It is the feeling of this writer that the Bible teaches us this same “prince,” will be in charge of the Antichrist who will, like Alexander, possess Babylon at the beginning of this reign before moving his headquarters to Jerusalem in the middle of the Tribulation period. From Babylon, Alexander extended the Grecian Empire’s global dominion into more countries. Following the Grecians, the Roman Empire began to form and eventually became a prophetic picture of the fourth Kingdom in Daniel’s prophecies, both a past and future kingdom.
Daniel 2:40
And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron: forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdues all things: and as iron that breaketh all these, shall it break in pieces and bruise.
Daniel 7:23
Thus he said, the fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.
Hundreds of years later, in the seventh century A.D., the Arabs would possess the land of Shinar and set up the headquarters of various branches of Islam near the banks of the Euphrates River. In fact, in A.D. 637, the first Arab empire was established in Mesopotamia and called the Abbasid Empire.
Throughout history the Babylonian area was occupied by the Sumerians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Persians and Greeks. A prophecy in Isaiah implies that the Arabians would be removed in totality once Babylon is destroyed.
Isaiah 13:19
And Babylon, the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldeans' Excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
Isaiah 13:20
It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there; neither shall the shepherds make their fold there.
This prophecy of destruction alludes to a present and even yet future Babylon, since the Arabians did not pitch their tents there until 637. Between A.D. 661 and A.D. 750, the Arabs conquered the town of al-Kufa, which was situated near the ruins of ancient Babylon, and became the capital of Iraq and the headquarters for the Umayyad dynasty. From 744-750 A.D., the Islamic caliph, Marway II ibn Mohammed, transferred his residence to Harran, Iraq.
Throughout Islamic history, the fate of the Jews often depended upon who the regional Islamic governor was at the time. Beginning in 717, fanatical caliphs began to persecute the Jews living in and around Babylon. In A.D.850, the Islamic caliph al-Mutawakkil, a religious fanatic, demanded Jews to wear a yellow head covering. The poor and servants had a yellow patch attached to the clothes on their chests and backs, a practice Hitler adopted during the Holocaust of World War II. (STONE)
During the early centuries of Islam, Jews and Christians were often forced to wear yellow clothing with patches on them, identifying them. In most instances, Jews and Christians were levied with heavy taxes. Clearly, the plains of Shinar, the tower of Babel, the city of Babylon and the Kingdom of the Babylonians have played and WILL PLAY a major role in secular world history and future Bible prophecy!
Just as the first battle of Abraham, the father of the Jews involved the king of Mesopotamia (IRAQ), the FINAL BATTLE OF BATTLES INVOLVING ISRAEL AND HER ENEMIES WILL BE WITH A FUTURE KIN OF IRAQ. Iraq, along with the city of Baghdad has served as headquarters for caliphs of Islam since the infancy of the religion.
Prophetically, this last kin of Islam, the 12th Imam, the coming Antichrist, the man of sin, the son of perdition, the Assyrian, the spoiler, the red dragon, the Beast, will be the king of a neo-Babylonian empire with Persian, Grecian and Roman characteristics that will arise in the last days as a force to be reckoned with all over the world, but especially to Israel and yes, the United States.
With the United States current involvement there it is extremely important to see the role of Iraq as it pertains to the coming man of sin and events soon to transpire on Planet Earth!
The Euphrates Connection
Rev 16:12- And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
Rev 9:14-15- Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. [15] And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men
The Euphrates and Tigris rivers divide Iran from Iraq. The Euphrates begins in Turkey, not far from Mount Ararat, and travels through Turkey, Syria and Iraq, and then empties into the Persian Gulf (1,700 miles long).
The Euphrates was the eastern boundary of the old Roman Empire and is the only river actually mentioned in Bible prophecy as it relates to the rule of the Beast Kingdom. According to prophetic Scripture, several powerful, ancient spirits that have been bound in this great river, Euphrates, will be released during the Great Tribulation period. These wicked angels will rise up and motivate a massive army of 200 million soldiers that will slay a third of mankind during a 13-month period. There is some debate whether this will be a literal army or a horde of demon spirits unseen by the natural eye but released on earth to kill and destroy millions. This writer tends to believe both scenarios actually meaning he believes this group will be literal AND controlled by the same demon spirits John saw in his writings.
Rev. 9:13-19 - And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, [14] Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. [15] And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. [16] And the number of the army of the horsemen was two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. [17] And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. [18] By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. [19] For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
These spirits could very well be the ancient spirits of Babylon, Medes and Persians and the prince spirit of Grecia mentioned in Daniel 10.
Daniel 10:13
But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
Daniel 10:20
Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? And now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come.
The above-mentioned demon spirits controlled their respective empires, which all had a hand in the persecution and oppression of God’s people, Israel. Later, toward the conclusion of the Tribulation, the Euphrates River will dry up and make a way for this massive army, headed by the Kings of the East.
Rev. 16:12
And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.
In Revelation, John indicates severe drought and famine will precede this event.
Rev. 6:8
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Rev. 11:6
These have power to shut heaven that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.
Presently, during the dry season, the Euphrates may drop as low as 24 inches. The country of Turkey has constructed several massive dams which can presently shut off the flow of the Euphrates like a knob on a faucet.
Babylon was built along the Euphrates, and Baghdad, the capitol of Iraq, sits near the Tigris River, not far from the Euphrates. If the Euphrates dries up and a massive army marches across, they will march from the area of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan, nations which are located east of the Euphrates. India, China and even Japan and the Koreas cannot be ruled out of this list either.
Those four nations are home to millions of Islamic radicals, all promoting a fanatical agenda, and alone would produce without blinking a 200-million man army. The Antichrist will be “great toward the east,” according to Daniel, which includes the nations just mentioned.
Dan 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Armies marching from the east would need to pass through Iraq as they proceed into Israel and to the valley of Megiddo, which we know is where the great battle of Armageddon will be fought. The political and historical importance of Iraq cannot be understated; the spiritual impact of this region is even greater! Some scholars argue against this point of view because they say Babylon has been destroyed (Jeremiah 51-52), and the Bible says it will not be rebuilt. There are several Old Covenant prophecies relating to this, especially in Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 50:39
Therefore the wild beasts of the desert with the wild beasts of the islands shall dwell there, and the owls shall dwell therein: and it shall be no more inhabited for ever; neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation.
Jeremiah 51:64
And thou shalt say, Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the evil that I will bring upon her: and they shall be weary. Thus far are the words of Jeremiah.
In Jeremiah’s time, Babylon invaded Israel, destroyed Jerusalem, burned the Temple and led the Jews captive. Jeremiah predicted the utter destruction of Babylon; yet, his prophecy parallels the prophecies of Revelation 17 and 18 concerning “Mystery Babylon.” Jeremiah’s Babylon is/was a political nation and John’s Babylon is a religious system.
We know the Antichrist’s headquarters will be here at the beginning of the Great Tribulation. One possible scenario is that a future war with Iran or other Arab nations seeking Iraq’s destruction since America is entrenched there at the moment could be devastated for a season, and then rebuilt for the Antichrist.
All we know is this. John saw “Mystery Babylon,” burn up with fire in one hour, and this prophecy is fulfilled during the first 42 moths of the Tribulation period. Iraq will be the headquarters of the Beast during the first 42 months. There will be so many wars and bloodshed even in the first half that at some point the entire land mass could go up in smoke through a nuclear bomb or something worse. God may supernaturally destroy it. Either way, we know that the Antichrist will be in Iraq at the beginning and sitting in Jerusalem at the end. Without doubt, Iraq will become the center of attention during these last days as it is right now.
The prophetic implications of America being there right now go do deep it’d take us 10 years to discuss those. That’s why we need to pray for our nation at this moment and for President Bush. I don’t think we understand even now the spiritual ramifications of what we are doing there. President Bush is a good man but he doesn’t even realize the scope of what is coming in this same region of the world U.S. troops currently occupy in assisting the Iraqi nation to get back on its feet after years of brutal rule by Saddam.
Just as Jerusalem is the gate of heaven and the place where God placed His name, ancient Babel was the gate of wickedness and the place where deceit and spiritual corruption was birthed.
Zech. 5:5-11
Then the angel that talked with me went forth, and said unto me, Lift up now thine eyes, and see what this that goeth forth is. [6] And I said, What is it? And he said, This is an ephah that goeth forth. He said moreover, This is their resemblance through all the earth. [7] And, behold, there was lifted up a talent of lead: and this is a woman that sitteth in the midst of the ephah. [8] And he said, This is wickedness. And he cast it into the midst of the ephah; and he cast the weight of lead upon the mouth thereof. [9] Then lifted I up mine eyes, and looked, and, behold, there came out two women, and the wind was in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork: and they lifted up the ephah between the earth and the heaven. [10] Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? [11] And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.
The battles in the future, especially against Islamic terrorists, will eventually change the face of nations on the earth. Iraq will be one of those nations. Iraq’s prosperity is based on OIL, which will play a huge role in the final kingdom. Daniel says the Antichrist will “enter peaceably upon the ‘fattest’ places of the province.” That is a reference to the rich oil fields of the Middle East. That issue is also a growing sound we continually hear in our newscasts each day even now.
Iraq is the beginning place of rule for the Antichrist, but the ending place will be Jerusalem where the greatest battle and bloodshed known to mankind since man’s creation will be fought at Armageddon.
1 Thes. 5:3-6
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. [4] But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. [5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. [6] Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
The Oil and Gold
Daniel 11:24
He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches: yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strong holds, even for a time.
The book of Revelation clearly reveals that future wars, plagues, famines and global confusion will not only adversely affect humanity, but such circumstances will also create chaos in the financial markets. This chaos will send panic rippling through the world’s economies and people looking for answers and increase willingness for humanity to whatever it takes to survive.
Daniel tells us the Antichrist will focus on seeking after “gold,” during his rise to power at the onset of the Great Tribulation period.
Daniel 11:38
But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces: and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honour with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things.
Daniel 11:43
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
The Antichrist will have power over the gold and the silver and will honor the “god” of forces (war) with “gold, silver and precious stones. There is an ever increasing push for people to invest in “gold,” right now no matter their cultural background. However, investing in gold has ties to Islamic tradition.
Some Muslims believe that the only currency that will survive the last days will be coins minted of gold and silver. The interest in such currency is being headed up from the region of Malaysia and Indonesia. The objective is to mint gold and silver coins, called the DINAR (gold) and Dirham (silver), and eventually make them the official currency of a new Islamic empire. These coins are already being produced in 22 Islamic nations, and they are free from government fiat and financial interest.
The Islamic party of Klantan, a party of 500,000 in Northeast Malaysia, began heading up the project a few years ago. The currency is based on Mohammad’s saying that was remembered by Abu Bakr, the man who compiled Mohammed’s teachings into the Koran after the prophet’s death: “A time is certainly coming over mankind where then will be nothing left which will be of use save a dinar and dirham.” (STONE)
In the late 1990s, the concept of the gold and silver Islamic coins was discussed with the mufti (Islamic spiritual leader) in Egypt. He approved of the concept and said:
“All Islamic transactions should be done in gold and silver. This will lead to a powerful establishment of an Islamic economy capable of facing up to the international economic blocs.”
History has proven time and time again that when economic tragedy strikes those who have gold and silver bars have the only economic nest egg available to investors. During the Carter Presidency when the nation experienced one of its worst economic cycles since the Great Depression the price of gold and silver soared. With any major event that rattles the global economic markets; GOLD and silver begin to rise.
When the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center fell in 2001, it was revealed that huge amounts of gold were in the basement. There was a concern by the owners that the tremendous heat may have melted some of the gold. Later, the gold was discovered and transferred by heavy security to an unspecified location. The owners of this gold were Saudi Arabia and Kuwait – BOTH ISLAMIC Nations.
America’s currency was once backed by the gold standard. For every hand currency printed, there was sufficient gold to back it up. America came off the gold standard, and today our currency is backed by the strength of the Federal Reserve and the confidence of the American people. If America experiences another terrorist attack, which we just missed experiencing two days ago as of this writing, it is no longer possible but PROBABLE we could experience an economic setback of MAJOR proportions.
The God of Forces And Antichrist
The way this ties into the mystery of Babylon is simple. The Antichrist will control the treasures of gold and silver and will “honor” his god with gold, silver and precious stones. It is clear that the Islamic world is already moving into the direction of eventually forming the strongest economic currency in the world by owning the GOLD and the SILVER.
The nations in the Persian Gulf region are more than able to purchase countless amounts of gold, silver and precious stones. Their wealth has come from the “gold buried in the sand,” often called the “treasure chest,” of Allah, the rich, dark oil fields hidden in the sands of the Arabian Desert. OIL has padded the coffers and filled the bank vaults of the descendants of Ishmael and Esau as nothing else.
ANY MAN WHO CONTROLS THE OIL WELLS OF THE ARABIAN PENINSULA COULD CONTROL THE ENTIRE WORLD. Saddam Hussein’s grand visions for Babylon included his desire to annex the small country of Kuwait back into Iraq. Since he had his own millions pouring in from oil wells, he was not interested in owning Saudi Arabia and bringing the wrath of the Arab world on his head.
Had Sadaam aspired to those aspirations however he could have controlled the faucet on the oil wells and could have named his prices and retaliated against America by cutting or limiting the supply.
That is what makes Iran right now such a dangerous adversary. Iran’s goal is to basically do the same to Iraq at some point in the future, annexing the nation, thus controlling the oil fields of the Middle East, and in turn bringing the West to its knees. Should the U.S. fail in its bid to bring democracy to Iraq and Iran one day eventually overthrow the government there and take over, it could be America’s worse nightmare!
But what is more sinister is if from an Iran-Iraq union a MAN arises from the ash heap of war, makes gestures of false peace towards Israel, signs a 7-year peace treaty, while in turn controlling the entire Middle East, that becomes the WORLD’S worst nightmare!
If America does not become more independent from Middle Eastern Oil, we will find a man in the future who will cut off oil from the West, thereby birthing a disaster. By owning much of the gold and silver and the gold in the sand of the Persian Gulf states, the nations of the world would have to come to him for their supply. And let the reader be clear of this man’s asking price for oil – RELINQUISH YOUR SUPPORT OF AND HELP US DESTROY NATIONAL ISRAEL and then you have all the oil you want.
The Oil and the Mark
Rev. 13:16-18
And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: [17] And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. [18] Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
The Scripture tells us that this man, the Antichrist, will set up a system of buying and selling, thus controlling even the common people. The apostle John alludes to an unusual economic “plan” the kingdom of the Beast, headquartered first in Babylon, will initiate. Christians call this system of buying and selling the “mark of the Beast.”
According to Scripture, those under the control of Antichrist will receive authority to purchase and sell goods if they have one of three things:
The mark of the beast
The name of the beast
The number of his name
The entire world is marked by numbers, especially Americans, who have a Social Security number, a telephone number, a street number, zip code and various credit card numbers. We are becoming quickly more known by our numbers than our name. Revelation 13:18 says the number of the beast can be calculated to 666. Since numbers are already used for buying and selling, it is not difficult to see how the number of the b east would work through a computer system.
Rev. 13:18
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
The name of the beast is a bit more difficult to understand, yet people who worship this man as though he were a god will use his name to obtain several favors. The mark of the beast, issued by the false prophet, will be placed on the right hand or forehead. The mark is actually a RELIGIOUS mark of allegiance that publicly identifies a follower of the Antichrist and his religion. Just as Hindus have a red dot in the center of their forehead, the false prophet of Revelation 13:11-16 will cause men and women to receive the mark.
Whatever system is developed, the global grip of the Antichrist, for 42 months, will be so strong that nations who do not “submit,” (the definition of ISLAM) to his control will be forced into starvation or face the consequences of war. At that time in history, the plagues, famines, droughts and strange cosmic disturbances will have disrupted the planet and limited the food supplies, fresh water supplies and clean air.
Rev. 6:4-8
And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. [5] And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. [6] And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. [7] And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. [8] And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Without a doubt, the spirit realm will be busy during the Great Tribulation as demon powers will aid and abet the Antichrist. Gold and oil will be the TWO economic keys in the natural that will unlock the power and influence of the Antichrist. Up to this point no one has been able to combine them both for a weapon of power. One man, followed by 10 other kings or national leaders, will one day understand the power of the gold and the oil.
That is why friend it beckons the reader to make our calling and election SURE in these last days! It screams to us that the hour we live is LATE and something bigger than anything we’ve ever seen in the annals of human history is about to unfold before us. I’m not looking for a hole in the ground; I’m looking for a hole in the sky! I’m not looking for a cave to run hide in – I’m looking for the Lord to descend on a cloud to FLY in! Praise God. I hope you know the Christ, the son of the Living God today. He loves you and has come to die that we may have eternal life in HIM! Those who believe and put their trust in Him will never be ashamed or left to face the wrath of the days ahead.