by Mike Exton
What events lie in store for the much-troubled Middle East region? Bible prophecy reveals the answers! The problems confronting the world in the Middle East will trigger a sequence of events so staggering as to shake the very foundations of today's civilization!
"Then at the time of the end, the king of the south will attack the king of the north..." — Daniel 11:40
What events lie in store for the much-troubled Middle East region? Bible prophecy reveals the answers! The problems confronting the world in the Middle East will trigger a sequence of events so staggering as to shake the very foundations of today's civilization!
The Middle East has been a troubled region throughout history. Since earliest antiquity, it has been a focus of conflict and confrontation. Invaders without number have swept across its sands, leaving a grim legacy of death and destruction.
Today, the region is again an area of vital concern to nations around the globe. It is widely recognized as "the most likely flashpoint for World War III." The continuing arms buildup in the Mideast region is far and away outdistancing the search for peace.
Military analysts have rightly labeled the Middle East "the most militarized region in the world" and "the world's most dangerous hot spot." Many are concerned. Many have asked, "Where will it all lead?" Will there be another Middle East war? Will events there spark a nuclear World War III?
"It is impossible to fully understand what is happening in the Middle East today on the basis of the morning's news alone. Current attitudes in the Middle East spring from deep-rooted spiritual and emotional foundations. The present and future of the Middle East cannot be understood apart from its past."
It is also crucial that we understand the biblical prophecies for the Mideast region. Prophecy is history written in advance. If we know, in general, where events are leading, today's headlines will take on greater meaning.
A tempest is brewing in the Middle East! A storm is approaching of such magnitude that it will engulf all nations in its wake! Bible prophecy reveals that the pivotal Mideast region will be at the center of a nightmarish confrontation that will plunge the entire world into a crisis without parallel in all of history.
Yet there is good news beyond the cataclysmic events that lie just ahead!
Today's Mideast conflict involving Arabs and Jews is actually a relatively recent phenomenon. Western civilization began in the region commonly called the Fertile Crescent, renowned as "the Cradle of Civilization."
Turn back the pages of biblical history nearly 40 centuries to the early second millennium B.C. and you discover an important people coming onto the scene in the Fertile Crescent—the Hebrews. Prominent among the Hebrews was the family of Terah, including his son Abram, who would later be renamed Abraham.
Centuries later, the three great religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam would all trace their spiritual beginnings back to this great patriarch. Abraham would also become the physical progenitor of several great nations.
"I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great...." (Genesis 12:2)
Ishmael was the son of Abram by Hagar the Egyptian. Why was Ishmael's birth significant? Because Ishmael would become the progenitor of most of today's Arab world. The Arabs are essentially an Ishmaelite race!
God informed Hagar about her son: "He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren" (Genesis 16:12). The description aptly befits the proud and free descendants of Ishmael.
In time, Ishmael became the father of 12 sons. Muhammad, prophet of the Islamic faith in the seventh century A.D., would rightly claim descent from Ishmael's son Kedar. As God had foretold, a great people sprang from Ishmael. Today's Arabs are the family of Ishmael grown great!
The relationship between the Ishmaelite Arabs and the biblical Israelites is thus clear: Ishmael was the elder half-brother of Isaac. Isaac, in turn, had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. From Jacob—later renamed Israel—descended the Jews and the other tribes of Israel. The Israelites and the Arabs are cousins!
Geopoliticians have generally overlooked the part human nature plays in family quarrels. Today's Middle Eastern conflict is, in many ways, a family squabble rooted in ancient rivalries that continue to this day.
At the beginning of the seventh century A.D., the prophet Muhammad emerged as the most illustrious of all Ishmael's progeny. He brought a new monotheistic faith called Islam, meaning "submission to God."
Muhammad succeeded in abolishing the idolatry that had long held sway over pagan Arabia and bringing his fellow Arabs a unified faith. His preaching forged the divided Arab tribes into a socially, culturally and religiously united people—making it possible for them to aspire to greatness as a nation.
"There is no god but God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God." — The Islamic creed (shahadah)
Today's Islamic world encompasses more than 40 countries, representing fully 15 percent of the world's land mass. There are over 1.5 billion Muslims in the world today—over 21 percent of the world's population! This is a power bloc that cannot be ignored.
Unrealized by many in the West, the majority of Muslims are not Arabs. Islam was born among the Arabs, but has spread far beyond Arab lands—to Indonesia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Turkey, Iran, and many more.
After Muhammad's death, a dispute over succession led to a major division. Supporters of Ali's family became known as Shiites, while the majority who accepted broader leadership became Sunnis. Of the 1.5 billion Muslims today, 85 percent are Sunnis while fifteen percent are Shiites.
The Abbasid Dynasty marked the "Golden Age" of Islamic culture. Arabs excelled in mathematics, physics, chemistry, astronomy, geography and medicine. But eventually, the flame died as caliphs grew soft. The unity of Islam shattered, leaving Muslims with an abiding desire to re-create the political unity of the early Islamic caliphate.
The early decades of the 20th century were instrumental in setting the stage for today's crisis. Those momentous years largely determined the modern map of the Middle East and set in motion conflicts that persist to this day.
During World War I, the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks was proclaimed by Hussein ibn Ali, the Grand Sharif of Mecca. The Arabs were promised independence in exchange for their assistance against the Turks. Britain and France, however, had other plans through the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement.
In November 1917, Britain's Balfour Declaration pledged support for establishing a national home in Palestine for the world's scattered Jews. This was welcomed by Jews worldwide but vigorously denounced by Arabs as a betrayal of promises made to them.
"Britain found herself caught between two opposing movements—Zionism and Arab nationalism. Jews wanted their Eretz Yisra'el; Arabs, their independent Palestine."
On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the independence of the State of Israel. Within hours, neighboring Arab armies invaded the fledgling Jewish state. The Jews were once again a nation of their own in Palestine after nearly 19 centuries of dispersion.
Multiple wars followed—in 1956, 1967, and 1973. At the heart of the conflict remains the clash of two intense nationalisms over the same territory. Palestinians seek a sovereign state; Israel wants secure borders. Both sides want peace—but on their own terms. It is the kind of deadlock that keeps the Middle East as the world's most dangerous hot spot.
Today, the Middle East remains a region of tense confrontation. Many wonder what lies ahead. Will there be another major Arab-Israeli war? Using the Word of God, we can know what lies ahead!
An important key is to realize that the present Jewish state in Palestine is NOT the triumphant final return of Israel mentioned by the Old Testament prophets. The vast majority of the Israelitish tribes—the so-called "lost 10 tribes"—have not yet returned home. The prophesied return of ALL Israel is yet to occur—after the coming of the Messiah.
Bible prophecy in Psalm 83 reveals that a measure of unity will be forged in the Arab/Muslim world in the years ahead—a vast confederacy bound together in an effort against Israel. This confederation will play a crucial role in end-time events.
"They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.' For they have consulted together with one consent; they form a confederacy against you." (Psalm 83:4-5)
The major military threat to the Middle East will come from the outside—a union of European nations, an end-time revival of the ancient Roman Empire. The prophet Daniel refers to this European confederacy as "the king of the north" who will enter the Middle East "like a whirlwind."
Jesus Christ predicted that an occupation of Jerusalem would immediately precede the Great Tribulation. European occupation troops will occupy Jerusalem for 42 months according to Revelation 11:2.
The world's armies will gather at Armageddon—the hill of Megiddo in Israel's Valley of Jezreel. But no battle will be fought there! The forces will then move to confront Jesus Christ at Jerusalem in what Joel calls the "valley of Jehoshaphat."
Jesus Christ will return and destroy the world's armies gathered at Jerusalem. He will deliver Jerusalem from gentile occupation and establish His government on earth with Jerusalem as world headquarters.
Before mankind would utterly annihilate itself, Jesus Christ will intervene at that last crucial moment. He will return from Heaven with a vast army to put an end to international warfare. He alone CAN—and WILL—bring peace to Jerusalem and to the entire Middle East region!
"Unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive...." (Matthew 24:22—NLT)
Jews, Muslims and Christians all look to the coming of a Messiah. With the coming of Jesus—the messianic "Prince of Peace"—the great dream of many faiths will at last be realized! ALL nations will come to recognize Jesus as the true Messiah.
Former antagonists will join hands in international cooperation. Jews and Arabs will at last bury their differences, dwelling as neighbors in peace and mutual respect. World peace will become REALITY—based on obedience to the eternal Law of God!
We are now entering a new and dangerous period in earth's history, a time when the very survival of the human race will stand in jeopardy. Today's Middle East is a simmering caldron threatening to boil over.
Never before in all history has mankind faced a future so seemingly dark and ominous. Many sense the gravity of present world conditions. YOUR life will be affected dramatically by events developing in the Middle East!
But you needn't feel helpless! As surely as God predicted these events, He also promises protection during this prophesied crisis to those who sincerely seek to do His will—to those willing to repent and yield themselves to the authority of Jesus Christ.
"Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that will come to pass" (Luke 21:36).
There is good news beyond the chaos and war prophesied for the close of this age—a millennium of peace and prosperity for all people! From the destruction of war, the world will erupt into global peace, based on the eternal laws of God!
Peace WILL come to the Middle East. But it will take God to bring it!
WHO IS THE ANTICHRIST? The word "antichrist" literally means "against Christ" or "in place of Christ."
The Bible describes the Antichrist as a powerful political leader who will arise in the end-time. He will be the leader of a revived Roman Empire—a union of ten nations or groups of nations in Europe.
The Bible reveals several characteristics of this end-time leader:
1. He will be empowered by Satan.
"The dragon [Satan] gave him his power, his throne, and great authority" (Revelation 13:2).
2. He will be a master of intrigue and deception.
"And in the latter time… a king shall arise, having fierce features, who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; he shall destroy fearfully, and shall prosper and thrive; he shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people. Through his cunning he shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; and he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without human means" (Daniel 8:23-25).
3. He will blaspheme God.
"And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies… Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven" (Revelation 13:5-6).
4. He will make war with the saints.
"It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation" (Revelation 13:7).
5. He will claim to be God.
"…the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God" (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).
6. He will receive a deadly wound that is healed.
"And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast" (Revelation 13:3).
The Antichrist will have a powerful religious partner—the False Prophet. Together they will form an unholy alliance—a union of church and state. The False Prophet will cause the world to worship the Antichrist and to receive his mark (Revelation 13:11-17).
The Antichrist's reign will be short. After 3½ years of tribulation, Jesus Christ will return and destroy this evil system.
"Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone" (Revelation 19:20).
The Antichrist and the False Prophet will be the first two beings cast into the lake of fire. Their fate is sealed. They will be destroyed forever!
THE BIBLE reveals a sequence of events that will occur in the final seven years before the return of Jesus Christ.
This seven-year period is based on Daniel's prophecy of "seventy weeks" (Daniel 9:24-27). The final "week" of this prophecy refers to a seven-year period at the end of this age.
The final seven years will begin when the Antichrist (the Beast) makes a seven-year treaty with Israel and other nations.
"Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week [seven years]; but in the middle of the week he shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, even until the consummation, which is determined, is poured out on the desolate" (Daniel 9:27).
This treaty will allow the Jews to resume animal sacrifices at their temple in Jerusalem. It will also bring a temporary peace to the Middle East.
During the first half of the seven years, there will be a period of relative peace and prosperity. The world will marvel at the Beast and his miraculous economic solutions. Many will think he is the long-awaited Messiah.
During this time, the Two Witnesses will begin their ministry, warning the world of what is to come.
In the middle of the seven years—after 3½ years—the Beast will break his treaty with Israel. He will stop the animal sacrifices and set up an abomination (likely an image or statue of himself) in the temple.
"Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place… then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains" (Matthew 24:15-16).
The last 3½ years will be a time of unprecedented trouble—the Great Tribulation.
"For then there will be GREAT TRIBULATION, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened" (Matthew 24:21-22).
During this time, the Beast will persecute God's people. He will demand that everyone worship him and receive his mark. Those who refuse will be killed.
Near the end of the Great Tribulation, heavenly signs will appear—the sun will be darkened, the moon will turn to blood, and the stars will fall from the sky (Matthew 24:29). These signs announce the beginning of the "Day of the Lord"—a time when God will pour out His wrath on an unrepentant world.
"The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD" (Joel 2:31).
The Day of the Lord will be characterized by seven trumpet plagues:
At the sound of the seventh trumpet, Jesus Christ will return to this earth!
"Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!'" (Revelation 11:15).
At this time, the dead in Christ will be resurrected, and those who are alive will be changed to immortal spirit beings.
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
After the resurrection, God will pour out His final seven plagues on those who have the mark of the beast:
The armies of the world will gather to fight against Jesus Christ at His return. But they will be utterly destroyed!
"And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet… These two were cast alive into the lake of fire" (Revelation 19:19-20).
After the battle, Satan will be bound for 1,000 years.
"Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished" (Revelation 20:1-3).
For 1,000 years, Jesus Christ and the resurrected saints will rule on this earth. It will be a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity.
"And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4).
"They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4).
After the 1,000 years, all who have ever lived (and who were not in the first resurrection) will be resurrected to physical life. They will be given their first real opportunity for salvation.
"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it… And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books" (Revelation 20:11-12).
Those who accept God's way of life will be given eternal life. Those who reject God will be cast into the lake of fire and destroyed forever.
Here is a brief summary of the major end-time events described in this book:
The events described in this book WILL happen. The only question is: Are YOU ready?
Jesus Christ warned: "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36).
Are you watching? Are you praying? Are you living a life that is pleasing to God?
Now is the time to repent of your sins and turn to God. Now is the time to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Now is the time to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit. Now is the time to start living according to God's commandments.
Don't wait until it's too late. The time is short. Jesus Christ is coming soon!
"He who testifies to these things says, 'Surely I am coming quickly.' Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!" (Revelation 22:20).
— End of Book —
"Prophecy Comes Alive!"
by Michael H. Exton • Edition 1.1 • March 2013
Mike Exton
1138 Baltimore Pike #754
Springfield, PA 19064
Please visit our website at:
www.TheBibleComesAlive.com