The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy

By COGwriter

The Arabic peoples mainly inhabit the areas of Northern Africa and the Middle East. And much of that area is referred to as the "Arab world".

Notice:

The Arab world (Arabic: العالم العربي) (al-`alam al-`arabi) consists of 22 countries stretching from Mauritania in the west to Oman in the east. They have a combined population of 323 million people...The Arabic language forms a unifying feature of the Arab World...While this has often been a matter of dispute, the following entities (18 states and two territories) are considered part of the Arab World as all use Arabic as one of their official state languages, and most of their inhabitants speak one or more of the Arabic languages and dialects (though ethnically quite varied):

Algeria Bahrain Egypt Iraq Jordan Kuwait Lebanon

Libya Mauritania Morocco Oman Palestinian territories Qatar Saudi Arabia

Sudan Syria Tunisia United Arab Emirates Western Sahara (SADR) Yemen

(Source: Arab World. Wikipedia, 3/14/07).

In addition, the 2000 US census reported that 1.2 million in the USA identified themselves as having Arab ancestry (there are also persons of Arab ancestry in many other nations). Some who are of Arab ancestory believe that they have descended from Ishmael.

Sometimes, peoples non-ethnically Arabic, but who now often speak the same language, such as some that the Bible refers to as Cushites and/or Nubians are considered to be part of the Arab world. The Bible also sometimes indicates that the Edomites (many of which are Turks) sometimes cooperate with the Arab world--the Bible also indicates that the Edomites have a tie to the descendants of Ishmael and Lot.

This article will discuss from a biblical perspective, some of the origin of the Arab peoples as well as part of the role of the Arab world in prophecy. And their hope of salvation.

God Made a Promise to Abraham

The Bible seems to show that the people who are now generally considered to be Arabic, descended, at least partially, from Abraham or one of his relatively close relatives.

The Bible teaches that Abraham had a son named Ishmael through Hagar (Genesis 16:8-15), his wife's maid servant. Most people of Arab ancestry consider that they are related to Abraham.

God told Abraham:

And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation (Genesis 17:20, NKJV throughout unless where otherwise indicated).

As far as greatness is concerned, throughout most of the "dark ages" in the West, the Arabic peoples were the leaders in science and culture--perhaps the greatest of all peoples at that time. The Arabs are still a major people, and have partially fulfilled this prophecy (additional fulfillment will be discussed later in this article).

The Bible mentions the following concerning Ishmael and his first descendants:

Now this is the genealogy of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's maidservant, bore to Abraham. And these were the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: The firstborn of Ishmael, Nebajoth; then Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, Mishma, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah. These were the sons of Ishmael and these were their names, by their towns and their settlements, twelve princes according to their nations. These were the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred and thirty-seven years; and he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people. (They dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt as you go toward Assyria.) (Genesis 25:12-18.)

Ishmael also had at least one daughter, Mahalath. And she married Esau, grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac:

So Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife in addition to the wives he had (Genesis 28:9).

There were, of course, other marriages between various families in the Middle East and Northern Africa. Some Arabs are apparently descended from Abraham through his second wife, Keturah:

Abraham again took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. Jokshan begot Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim. And the sons of Midian were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah (Genesis 25:1-4).

Some believe that those who eventually inter-married were descended from branches of Shem's family other than Abraham (who came through Peleg), specifically through Joktan.

Some believe that the Yemenites were primarily descended through Jerah (Yarab to the Arabs) through Joktan. Here is the genealogy in the Bible that shows Joktan and Jerah:

To Eber were born two sons: the name of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name was Joktan. Joktan begot Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, Obal, Abimael, Sheba, Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. And their dwelling place was from Mesha as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. These were the sons of Shem, according to their families, according to their languages, in their lands, according to their nations (Genesis 10:25-31).

In addition, Abraham's nephew Lot is shown to have been the father of certain ancient nations. The descendants of Lot are now considered to be Arabs primarily in the area of Jordan (Ammon is the name of the current capital of Jordan). Here is some of that genealogy:

Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day (Genesis 19:36-38).

Hence, the Bible indicates that the peoples who make up much of the Arab world descended from Abraham or one of his relatives.

Some Problems Were Mentioned From the Beginning

The Bible prophesied problems between the the descendants of Isaac and Israel and the descendants of Esau and some of the Arab peoples.

The first such prophesy seems to indicate that the descendants of Ishmael would often be against many others:

"Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the LORD has heard your affliction.
He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man's hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren" (Genesis 16:11-12).

Notice the following concerning Esau and Jacob (Israel):

And the LORD said to her:

"Two nations are in your womb,
Two peoples shall be separated from your body;
One people shall be stronger than the other,
And the older shall serve the younger."

So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau's heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. (Genesis 25:23-26).

And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:

"Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
And of the dew of heaven from above.
By your sword you shall live,
And you shall serve your brother;
And it shall come to pass, When you become restless,
That you shall break his yoke from your neck."

So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him (Genesis 27:38-41).

After the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, they sang the following in a song:

"The people will hear and be afraid;
Sorrow will take hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.
Then the chiefs of Edom will be dismayed;
The mighty men of Moab,
Trembling will take hold of them;
All the inhabitants of Canaan will melt away (Exodus 15:14-15).

Thus, even from the earliest times, there has been discord between the Arab and Turkish worlds and the children of Israel. Throughout the Hebrew scriptures, many of the early conflicts are described.

"Christianity" and the Arab World

Most in the Arab world practices some version of Islam (normally the Sunni version).

While some few in the Arab world have accepted the faith of Christ as taught by the Church of God, many have not known the truth of the Gospel. Many Arabs consider that Christianity is a barbarous and pagan religion.

They consider it barbarous because of the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox crusades against them.

They consider is pagan because of the doctrine of the trinity, pagan holidays, and the use of idols and icons. In one very real sense, Mohammed was a reformer who saw some of the errors in mainstream Christianity and rebelled against them.

Sadly, because of false "Christianity" much of the Arab world has never known real Christianity.

Most Arabs do not realize that no true Christian would ever have been part of the Crusades, because real Christians avoid military service. They do not realize that true Christians never celebrated Christmas, Valentines' Day, Easter or other pagan-adopted holidays. Although they might realize that early Christians were opposed to the use of idols and icons, they do not realize that those who later adopted them are not true Christians.

They do not realize that true Christians never taught the trinity, but that this was a heresy that slowly infected those who professed Christ originally introduced by the heretics Montanus and Valentinus--heretics that the true Christian leader, Polycarp of Smyrna, opposed--and that those heretics were tolerated by Rome for decades. They do not realize that the location of the leadership of true Church is not in Rome (please see the article Location of the Early Church: Another Look at Ephesus, Smyrna, and Rome) and that even Roman Catholic scholars acknowledge that the common Catholic view of apostolic succession is in error (see also the article What Do Roman Catholic Scholars Actually Teach About Early Church History?).

(More information on true Christianity can be found at the History of Early Christianity page.)

Because of all this misinformation, most in the Arab world have no idea of the true Godhead of the Bible or the true plan of God.

Actually I have seen Moslem writings that correctly condemn those who call themselves Christian for idols and icons, Valentines' Day, the trinity, the Crusades, and many other practices that are unbiblical (and un-Christian).

However, another more serious problem exists with the Muslims and that is, that although the Koran refers to Jews and Christians as "the people of the book", Muslims believe that Jews and Christians distorted the original writings of the Hebrew and Greek scriptures (the Old and New Testaments) and thus the Bible itself is supposedly not as reliable as the Koran. The scientific truth is that there are more early manuscripts that support the New Testament than any other piece of ancient literature and this evidence absolutely proves that the New Testament is reliable.

And while it is true that some who profess Christ rely on a few later "additions" to the original texts, the fact is that the New Testament itself is reliable and does teach, for example that Jesus was crucified and not Judas as the Koran does. The Bible is reliable, and with the exception of one or two verses falsely added to 1 John by an Orthodox scribe about 1,000 years ago, the text in the Bible is reliable (for details Did the True Church Ever Teach a Trinity?).

Regarding Jesus, perhaps I should mention that Muslims do believe that He will return, it is just that they do not see Him coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords that the Bible clearly teaches (e.g Revelation 19:10-16; 17:14). Here is some of what Islam teaches about Jesus:

"It is frankly said in the Koran that the person who was crucified was not Jesus" but Judas, one of the 12 Apostles and the one the Bible holds betrayed Jesus to the Romans, he said. In his film, it is Judas who is crucified.

Islam sees Jesus as one of five great prophets -- others being Noah, Moses and Abraham -- sent to earth to announce the coming of Mohammed, the final prophet who spread the religion of Islam. It respects Jesus' followers as "people of the book"...

Shiite Muslims, the majority in Iran, believe Jesus will accompany the Imam Mahdi when he reappears in a future apocalypse to save the world...

Shiites believe the Mahdi's reappearance will usher in a new era of peace and harmony.

"We Muslims pray for the 'Return' (of Imam Mahdi) and Jesus is part of the return and the end of time," Talebzadeh said ('Islamic Jesus' hits Iranian movie screens AFP - Jan 13, 2008 http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=080113231632.1q3rt654&show_article=1).

However, it needs to be understood that the majority of Muslims are Sunni (and the majority of Arabs are Sunni Muslims) and do not have quite the same belief as the Shite Muslims regarding Jesus and the Madhi.

Near-Term Prophecies Involving the Arabic Peoples

The Bible shows that after the re-emerging European Empire finally forms, that it will increase the prosperity to many nations. And to a degree, the Arab world is likely to benefit from this prosperity. And this European Empire will apparently make a deal with the Arab world that neither it nor the Arab world intend to completely follow.

Prior to the final formation of Babylonian European Empire, the Arab world will receive the witness of the gospel message. Notice what the Bible records:

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).

The "end" being discussed above is the end of this church age, as the time of tribulation begins (see vs. 21) then. What this means for the Arabs (and all other peoples) is that they will have had a witness just prior to the tribulation. This witness will ultimately help them understand what really will be happening in the world and will set the stage for the ultimate conversion of nearly all the Arabic peoples-who eventually will have more unity than they now do.

Recall that the promise that God made to Abraham said that the descendants of Ishmael would be a great nation (Genesis 17:20). And although they have been united in the past and tend to desire unity today, the Arab world is split into at least 22 nations.

The Bible suggests that they will be highly unified again in the future. Most likely the relatively near future. Notice what the Living Church of God reported:

Middle-Eastern Common Market. Six wealthy Persian Gulf nations are working to create a “Common Market” where each will recognize the others as economic equals. Although some forecast this common market will strain the economies of some of the nations, the overall prognosis is positive. Workers and citizens from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will also be able “to work, buy houses and companies, trade shares, go to school and receive medical treatment in all six states” (BBC.com, January 2, 2007). This new group will work together for the benefit of the entire group. God prophesied of a future league of Middle East nations known as the King of the South. This powerful group of nations will be primarily located “south” of Jerusalem and will eventually push hard against the King of the North, or Beast power, in order to rid the Holy City and region from the power and influence of the “infidel.” Eventually, the King of the South will be overrun by this Beast power (see Daniel 11). The creation of this “Gulf State Common Market” could facilitate the development of the prophesied King of the South (World Ahead Update, Living Church of God, January 10, 2008).  

Thus, the foundations of a Muslim confederation seems to be in the beginning stages. Interestingly, most, though not all, of the Arab world is located south of Jerusalem. God had the prophet Daniel record that at "the appointed time" a king of the South would come to his end. Prior to this, however this king of the South would meet with the king of the North for some type of plan. Notice:

... the king of the North...And the king of the South...

Both these kings' hearts shall be bent on evil, and they shall speak lies at the same table; but it shall not prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time (Daniel 11:15,25,27).

And while there is a League of Arab States, the nations that will apparently support this future king of the South simply are not yet united enough politically, nor yet strong enough militarily for this to occur before probably 2010 (and more likely a few years after than). This does not mean that these nations are not increasing their economic, political, and military power (as they are doing that)--it is just that they still have a way to go to fulfill these prophecies within the next year or so.

A December 1979 Plain Truth article by Keith Stump's titled The Arab World in Prophecy provides insights into who may be the future king of the South as well as who may be involved in Psalm 83, perhaps in partial fulfillment of Daniel 11:27:

The prophecy of Daniel 11 details events...But who is the "king of the south"?...Just as there is yet to be a final "king of the north"--called in the Bible symbolism "the beast"--who will arise as superdictator over an end-time European confederation, there may very well emerge in the same manner a final "king of the south"--an overall leader of an Arab-Moslem confederation, possibly bearing the very title Mahdi. And these two individuals will eventually find themselves in a head-to-head confrontation--possibly over oil--which will ultimately lead to devastating war in the Middle East!

King David of ancient Israel in a prophetic psalm (Psalm 83) provides additional insight into the Mideast picture. Germany (Assyria in Bible prophecy) and perhaps the rest of Europe will be in league in the future with a union of Arab nations--a vast confederacy bound together in an effort to crush out the name "Israel" from the face of the earth! This Arab-Moslem confederacy may very well be the previously mentioned "king of the south"--a sphere of power encompassing vast portions of the Islamic world.

"They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom [Esau or modern-day Turkey, a non-Arab but Islamic nation], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; of Moab [part of Jordan[, and the Hagarenes [anciently these peoples dwelt in the area known as Syria today]; Gebal [Lebanon], and Ammon [modern Jordan], and Amalek [part of the Turks]; the Philistines [the modern Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [Lebanon]; Assur [whose descendants, the Assyrians, migrated to Germany] also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot [Jordan and Western Iraq]" (Psalm 83:4-8)...

But in the end, this European-Arab alliance will prove short-lived...And the king of the north shall come against him [the king of the south]...The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion.

So Bible prophecy in the books of Daniel and Psalms suggest that there will be some type of strong Arab-based confederation that will make a deal with a future European power for the purposes of eliminating "Israel". But that the alliance will not last.

Perhaps I should mention here that a preliminary deal to allow the Europeans and Northern Africans to co-operate did begin on July 13, 2008. And this deal involves a president for the North and a president for the South:

New York Times - July 14, 2008 PARIS — Leaders of 43 nations with nearly 800 million inhabitants inaugurated a “Union for the Mediterranean” on Sunday, meant to bring the northern and southern countries that ring the sea closer together through practical projects dealing with the environment, climate, transportation, immigration and policing.

But the meeting was also an opportunity for President Nicolas Sarkozy of France to exercise some highly public Middle East diplomacy...

The union has northern and southern co-presidents — to start, Mr. Sarkozy and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt…

Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, who insisted that the Sarkozy project include all European Union members, called the session “a very, very good start for a new phase in the cooperation” between Europe and the south (Sarkozy Helps to Bring Syria Out of Isolation. New York Times, July 14, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/14/world/europe/14france.html?em&ex=1216094400&en=bfad08e20a1536e6&ei=5087%0A).

Thus, the idea that the Bible first shows cooperation between the Kings of the North and South (Daniel 11:27) appears to be becoming fulfilled in our day. The end of the cooperation is also going to occur (Daniel 11:40).

Mid-Term Prophecy Involving the Arabic Peoples

The Arab world controls much of the world's oil. And Egypt itself now has significant reserves of gold. The oil to a large degree (and gold to a much smaller degree) is used by the Arab world to trade with the Europeans and others for a variety of goods.

The Bible says that during the end-time, all the nations will have become wealthy trading with Babylon (the restored European Empire):

For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury (Revelation 18:3, NKJV throughout).

Thus, the Arab world, along with non-Arab nations, appears to be prophesied to attain wealth from the coming restored European Empire.

Many Will Worship the Beast

When people in the Arab world and elsewhere see the Beast power they will marvel:

The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is (Revelation 17:8).

They will marvel because of the great wealth, because they did not think Europe would gain such prominence, and because its leadership will have performed various signs and wonders.

Note the following:

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and 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. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:3-10).

Because of these actions, people throughout the world, including in the Arab world will (to some degree) worship a false leader:

Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 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. So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?" And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 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. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:1-9).

But this will not last.

The Arab World Will Be First Major Block to Recognize the Falsehood of the Beast

Lest any have the misimpression that the Arabs are not a discerning people, it needs to be understood that they will apparently be the first major block to recognize the falsehood of this European power.

The late John Ogwyn of the Living Church of God wrote:

A powerful war-making apparatus marshaled by the coming European superpower will be billed as the cornerstone of world peace and security. Modern technology will be used to create a police-state that Hitler and Stalin could only have dreamed about. People will be induced to accept such draconian measures as the price of getting rid of terrorism and violent crime. At first, this system will bring an upsurge in the world economy. A worldwide trading combine, prophesied in Ezekiel 27 and Revelation 18, will be hailed as the key to universal prosperity. Those at the helm of this system will, for a short time, enjoy unparalleled wealth.

Yet fatal flaws in this system, inherent from its beginning, will in time produce widening disparities. The Arab world will be displeased by attempts to coerce it into religious unity with Europe. A powerful leader—called in Daniel 11 the “king of the South”—will...bring about temporary unity of much of the Islamic world. Provoked by this leader, Europe will launch a “blitzkrieg” resulting in European occupation of much of the Arab world (Daniel 11:40–43). (Ogwyn J. The Beast of Revelation: Myth, Metaphor or Soon-Coming Reality? Online version 03/14/07.)

Probably because of its attempts to dominate the world and its religions by the king of the North, the king of the South will become displeased.

Notice what Daniel was inspired to write:

At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission (Daniel 11:40-43, NIV).

In the verses above we see that after the king of the North invades the king of the South, certain countries will be not be harmed. This is apparently because they continued to cooperate with the king of the North and hence were not invaded--this apparently is referring to Turkey (Edom), Jordan (Moab) and some of the top Arab leaders ("the prominent people of Ammon") or perhaps some smaller countries (like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajmān and perhaps others that make up the United Arab Emirates and other lands, like Qatar). Other Arab nations, such as Egypt and Libya will not fair as well. Some peoples who speak Arabic, but are not ethnically Arabic (like the Nubians) will also not fair well--suggesting that the king of the South is supported by more than just those who are ethnically Arabic.

But it may be important to understand that the Roman Catholics have some private prophecies that sounds very similar to Daniel 11:40--and the Catholics teach that their political leader (who they call a monarch or the prince of the North, see below) will destroy many Moslems (most Arabs practice the religion of Islam):

Rudolph Gekner (died 1675). "A great prince of the North with a most powerful army will traverse all Europe, uproot all republics, and exterminate all rebels. His sword moved by Divine power will most valiantly defend the Church of Jesus Christ. He will combat on behalf of the true orthodox faith, and shall subdue to his dominion the Mahometan Empire. A new pastor of the universal church will come from the shore (of Dalmatia) through a celestial prodigy, and in simplicity of heart adorned with the doctrines of Jesus Christ. Peace will come to the world." (Cited in Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p.36).

Holzhauser (died 1658)...There will rise a valiant monarch anointed by God. He will be a Catholic, a descendant of Louis IX, (yet) a descendant of an ancient imperial German family, born in exile. He will rule supreme in temporal matters. The Pope will rule supreme in spiritual matters at the same time. Persecution will cease and justice shall reign. Religion seems to be oppressed, but by the changes of entire kingdoms it will be made more firm.

"He will root out false doctrines and destroy the rule of the Moslemism. His dominion will extend from the East to the West. All nations will adore God their Lord according to Catholic teaching (ibid).

And while the Church of God and the Bible warn against this leader of the North (Daniel 11:36-38), Roman Catholics apparently will embrace him. It should be noted that most Muslims do not like to be called Mahometans or Mohammedans as they feel it implies that they worship Mohammed--but these terms are used in a variety of Catholic prophecies. Yet, unlike the Catholics, the Church of God considers this invader from the North to be the despicable beast power.

Any way one looks at it, it is important to watch the Middle East as prophecies are going to be fulfilled there as Jesus Himself taught (Luke 21:20,36).

Islamic Prophecy Looks Forward to the Confrontation

Notice the following concerning Islamic and other prophecies:

Islamic eschatology from its very beginnings embraced the necessity of violently conquering the world and gathering up souls to the faith before the expected hour of judgment - a notion that has risen and fallen over the centuries, but in past decades has received new impetus from Islamist revivalist movements.

It is partly a mirror image of the Protestant Christian tradition (a world made entirely Islamic, with Jesus as Mohammed’s lieutenant), partly a fantasy of the inevitable return of “sacred space”, the Caliphate, that includes most of Spain, parts of France, the entire Middle East, right up to the borders of China. As with the Christian scheme, Islam foretells of the destruction or conversion of the Jews…

In Jamkaran, a village not far from the holy city of Qum, a small mosque is undergoing a $20m-expansion, driven forward by Ahmadinejad’s office. Within the Shi’ite apocalyptic tradition, the Twelfth Imam, the Mahdi, who disappeared in the ninth century, is expected to reappear in a well behind the mosque.

His re-emergence will signify the beginning of the end days. He will lead the battle against the Dajjal, the Islamic version of the anti-Christ, and with Jesus as his follower, will establish the global Dar el Salaam, the dominion of peace, under Islam (McEwan, Ian. The day of judgment. The Guardian, May 31, 2008 http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2283072,00.html and http://books.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2283101,00.html).

The Bible Shows that the Beast Initially Wins

The Book of Isaiah also seems to prophecy destruction of Syria (called Damascus), the Cushites (many are in Sudan and southern Egypt), and the Egyptians:

Isaiah 17

1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
"See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. 2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down,with no one to make them afraid. 3 The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,and royal power from Damascus;the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites," declares the LORD Almighty.
4 "In that day the glory of Jacob will fade;the fat of his body will waste away. 5 It will be as when a reaper gathers the standing grain and harvests the grain with his arm--as when a man gleans heads of grain in the Valley of Rephaim. 6 Yet some gleanings will remain,as when an olive tree is beaten,leaving two or three olives on the topmost branches,four or five on the fruitful boughs," declares the LORD, the God of Israel.
7 In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. 8 They will not look to the altars,the work of their hands,and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made.
9 In that day their strong cities, which they left because of the Israelites, will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation.
10 You have forgotten God your Savior;you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress.Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, 11 though on the day you set them out, you make them grow,and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud,yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.
12 Oh, the raging of many nations--they rage like the raging sea!Oh, the uproar of the peoples--they roar like the roaring of great waters! 13 Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters,when he rebukes them they flee far away,driven before the wind like chaff on the hills,like tumbleweed before a gale. 14 In the evening, sudden terror!Before the morning, they are gone!This is the portion of those who loot us,the lot of those who plunder us.

Isaiah 18

1 Woe to the land of whirring wings along the rivers of Cush, 2 which sends envoys by sea in papyrus boats over the water.
Go, swift messengers,to a people tall and smooth-skinned,to a people feared far and wide,an aggressive nation of strange speech,whose land is divided by rivers.
3 All you people of the world,you who live on the earth,when a banner is raised on the mountains,you will see it,and when a trumpet sounds,you will hear it. 4 This is what the LORD says to me:"I will remain quiet and will look on from my dwelling place,like shimmering heat in the sunshine,like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest." 5 For, before the harvest, when the blossom is gone and the flower becomes a ripening grape,he will cut off the shoots with pruning knives,and cut down and take away the spreading branches. 6 They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey and to the wild animals;the birds will feed on them all summer,the wild animals all winter.
7 At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD Almighty
from a people tall and smooth-skinned,from a people feared far and wide,an aggressive nation of strange speech,whose land is divided by rivers-- the gifts will be brought to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD Almighty.

Isaiah 19

1 An oracle concerning Egypt:
See, the LORD rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt.
The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.
2 "I will stir up Egyptian against Egyptian--brother will fight against brother,
neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom.
3 The Egyptians will lose heart,
and I will bring their plans to nothing;
they will consult the idols and the spirits of the dead,
the mediums and the spiritists.
4 I will hand the Egyptians over
to the power of a cruel master,
and a fierce king will rule over them,"
declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty NIV (Isaiah 17-19:4).

Ezekiel 30

1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 "Son of man, prophesy and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says:

"'Wail and say,
"Alas for that day!"
3 For the day is near,
the day of the LORD is near-
a day of clouds,
a time of doom for the nations.
4 A sword will come against Egypt,
and anguish will come upon Cush.
When the slain fall in Egypt,
her wealth will be carried away
and her foundations torn down.

5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.

6 "'This is what the LORD says:

"'The allies of Egypt will fall
and her proud strength will fail.
From Migdol to Aswan
they will fall by the sword within her,
declares the Sovereign LORD.

7 "'They will be desolate
among desolate lands,
and their cities will lie
among ruined cities.
8 Then they will know that I am the LORD,
when I set fire to Egypt
and all her helpers are crushed.

9 "'On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt's doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).

It is possible that the above verses will be fulfilled when the king of the North invades the king of the South fulfilling Daniel 11:40-43.

Notice that the late Herbert W. Armstrong wrote that the king of the North is involved in the final crisis in the close of this age and involves "the beast and the false prophet" in Daniel chapter 11:

Verse 40 -- "And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him ...."...There is yet another leader to arise in Europe! Notice what will next happen!

Verse 41 -- "He shall enter also into the glorious land ... " -- the Holy Land. This is yet to be fulfilled.

When the coming revival of the Roman Empire takes the Holy Land, then the nations will be plunged into the initial phase of the great, last and final crisis at the close of this age!...

Verse 45 -- the coming Roman Empire shall establish its palace, as capital of the revived Roman Empire, and eventually its religious headquarters, at Jerusalem! Zechariah 14:2 says the city shall be taken! "Yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him"! This language signifies the end of the "beast" and the "false prophet" at the hand of God! You will find this end described in Revelation 19:19-20 and Zechariah 14:12. (Armstrong HW. The Middle East in Prophecy. Worldwide Church of God, 1972 edition).

Notice specifically that although the Beast is destroyed, that initially, the Bible shows that Beast (the King of the North) wins:

At the time of the end the king of the South will engage him in battle, and the king of the North will storm out against him with chariots and cavalry and a great fleet of ships. He will invade many countries and sweep through them like a flood. He will also invade the Beautiful Land. Many countries will fall, but Edom, Moab and the leaders of Ammon will be delivered from his hand. He will extend his power over many countries; Egypt will not escape. He will gain control of the treasures of gold and silver and all the riches of Egypt, with the Libyans and Nubians in submission (Daniel 11:40-43 NIV).

More Mid-Term Prophecies Involving the Arabs and Other Peoples

In Revelation 16, we also see that God will issue punishment to nearly all of humanity after Babylon (the European Empire) falls:

Then the seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, "It is done!" And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such a mighty and great earthquake as had not occurred since men were on the earth. Now the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell. And great Babylon was remembered before God, to give her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of His wrath. Then every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And great hail from heaven fell upon men, each hailstone about the weight of a talent. Men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail, since that plague was exceedingly great (Revelation 16:17-21).

God sends the punishments to get all humans, including the Arabs, to repent, but they (like others) refused at first:

And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory (Revelation 16:9).

What Happens to the Arabic Peoples After These Problems?

After all these battles and punishments, the tribulation will end. And Christ will return:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24:29-30).

And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19:16).

This will usher in a kingdom that will be established for 1,000 years:

And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

And people of many nations, including those of the Arab world, will be part of this kingdom:

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb (Revelation 7:9).

(An article of related interest may include Did The Early Church Teach Millenarianism and a 6000 Year Plan?)

After the thousand years are over, there will be problems, and then all will be resurrected:

Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 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. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works (Revelation 20:7-13).

It is important to note that all remaining are judged at the second resurrection, but not all are condemned. However, prior to the second resurrection, apparently a Russian-led confederation will rebel and attempt to attack God's people (apparently in Jerusalem)--but they will not be successful. They will be destroyed, but will be raised in the second resurrection.

When is Salvation Available to the Arabic Peoples?

The mainstream "Christian" view correctly teaches that there is salvation in no other than Jesus (Acts 4:10-12), as "there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (vs.12).

But what happens to the multitudes in the Arab world who have not heard the truth of Christ? And what happens to those born before Christ's earthly ministry? Recall that the Bible teaches that after Adam sinned, humankind was blocked from the tree of life as God had it guarded so that humans would not be able to access it on their own (Genesis 3:22-24).

Even the basic Protestant view is that unless one professes belief in Jesus prior to the first death, then salvation will be unavailable. It is perhaps because of the difference between this view and that of the Church of God, that Protestants tend to label Church of God groups as cults.

The Church of God teaches that God is only calling a relatively few during this age with the Day of Pentecost (also called the Day of Firstfruits, Numbers 28:26) partially explaining this. "Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures" (James 1:18).

Jesus and the Church of God teach,

No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him (John 6:44).

For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it (Matthew 7:14).

Protestants and Catholics tend to feel, correctly, that God uses ministers to preach (Romans 10:14). Yet, the message is not always clear. In Isaiah 6:9-11 God teaches,

"Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed." Then I said, "Lord, how long?" And He answered: "Until the cities are laid waste and without inhabitant, The houses are without a man, The land is utterly desolate".

In other words, the bulk of the people are not to understand until after a time of great desolation.

Thus, is God going to condemn those for what He has not let them understand?

Protestant and Roman Catholic theology tends to say yes.

Those in the Church of God say no.

Unless the someone has committed the unpardonable sin (which is unlikely) they will be judged in the future.

Hence, those in the Arab world are not condemned to suffer forever for what they really do not understand.

Final Prophecies Which Will Affect the Arabs

Those who were uncalled in this age (including the vast majority of humans of all ethnic groups, including those that have long been dead) will be offered an opportunity for salvation.

And nearly all of them will accept it. The Living Church of God teaches that God will ultimately give every individual an opportunity for salvation--and that nearly every individual will accept that opportunity. The presiding evangelist of the Living Church of God has publicly stated, "it seem, the vast majority of human beings will ultimately be in God's family" (Meredith R.C. Last Great Day Sermon. Clearwater, Florida, 20051025).

This means that ultimately that nearly all Arabs who have ever lived will be in the permanent kingdom of God. Notice that the Bible clearly shows that this includes the Arabic peoples:

It shall come to pass in that day That the LORD shall set His hand again the second time To recover the remnant of His people who are left, From Assyria and Egypt, From Pathros and Cush, From Elam and Shinar, From Hamath and the islands of the sea (Isaiah 11:11).

In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria-- a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, "Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance (Isaiah 19:23-25).

Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." (Revelation 21:2-4).

Conclusion About the Arabs in Prophecy

The Arab world was promised greatness in the Bible. For hundreds of years it had major historical prominence.

In the 21st Century, its wealth and influence are prophesied to increase, but it will have problems. God apparently plans to use the Arab world as part of a His plan to inflict punishment on the descendants of Israel. But ultimately, Arabs and Israelis will be at peace.

The Arab world will be the first major block to who see that the European beast power is not what it pretends to be.

Yet, because most in the Arab world (as well as the non-Arab world) do not now know the true God, God will punish them as well as the other inhabitants on the Earth.

However, since God is a God of love, He intends to resurrect the Arabs and offer them salvation. A salvation that nearly all will accept as nearly all the Arabs who ever lived will be in the kingdom of God. A kingdom without fear or death or sorrow. A glorious kingdom. And that is the prophesied future for nearly all of the Arabs.

Articles of related interest may include:

The History of Early Christianity Are you aware that what most people believe is not what truly happened to the true Christian church? Do you know where the early church was based? Do you know what were the doctrines of the early church? Are the major professors of Christianity teachings the Bible or a faith really based upon the truth or compromise?
Is there a future king of the South?
Universal Salvation? There Are Hundreds of Verses in the Bible Supporting the Doctrine of True Apocatastasis

Thiel B. The Arab World In The Bible, History, and Prophecy. www.cogwriter.com 2007/2008 0726

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