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". Although this does not include the Iranians (who are Persian), they will be sometimes also discussed in this article.
Notice who the Arabic nations now are:
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 (apparently Turks) 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.
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.
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.
Most in the Arab world practices some version of Islam (normally the Sunni version). Prior to this, it appears that there were some true practicers of original Christianity there (please see Arabic Nazarenes May Have Kept Original Christian Practices).
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 and the fact that the Arabs were the ones that essentially preserved (and even expanded) science during the Middle Ages. Notice a few short excerpts from historians on this:
“While Europe languished in the Dark Ages, Arab scholars were pioneering developments in algebra and the study of modern astronomy” (Nature magazine, March 14, 2002)
“While the rest of Europe was in the midnight of the Dark Ages, the Moorish universities of Spain were the beacon of the revival of learning. The Christian teacher was still manipulating the bones of the saints when the Arab physician was practising surgery. The monachal schools and monasteries in Italy, France, and Germany were still grappling with poor scholastic knowledge when Arab scholars were well advanced in the study of Aristotle and Plato. Stimulated by their acquaintance with the works of Ptolemy and Euclid, Galenus and Hippocrates, they extended their researches into the dominions of astronomy, mathematics, and medicine.” (page 7, History of Egypt from 330 B.C. to the Present Time by Angelo Solomon Rappoport, Published by Grolier Society, 1904)
“Schools and universities flourished in Moslem lands when Christian Europe was still in the “Dark Ages.”" (page 383, Early European History by Hutton Webster, Published by D.C. Heath & Co., 1917)
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).
And even in the 21st century, while nominally "Christian" Europe wants to encourage homosexuality, the Arab world correctly has opposed it. Notice one such stand:
The U.N. General Assembly split over the issue of gay rights on Thursday after a European-drafted statement calling for decriminalization of homosexuality prompted an Arab-backed one opposing it. Diplomats said a joint statement initiated by France and the Netherlands gathered 66 signatures in the 192-nation assembly after it was read out by Argentina at a plenary session.
A rival statement, read out by Syria, gathered some 60. The two statements remained open for further signatures, the diplomats said. No resolution was drafted on the issue and there was no voting, they added.
The division in the General Assembly reflected conflicting laws in the world at large. According to sponsors of the Franco-Dutch text, homosexuality is illegal in 77 countries, seven of which punish it by death. The European Union-backed document, noting that the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was marked this month, said those rights applied equally to all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. It urged states “to take all the necessary measures, in particular legislative or administrative, to ensure that sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention.”
But the opposing document said the statement “delves into matters which fall essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of states” and could lead to “the social normalization, and possibly the legitimization, of many deplorable acts including pedophilia.” “We note with concern the attempts to create ‘new rights’ or ‘new standards,’ by misinterpreting the Universal Declaration and international treaties to include such notions that were never articulated nor agreed by the general membership,” it added. This, it said, could “seriously jeopardize the entire international human rights framework.”
Muslim countries have for years opposed international attempts to legalize homosexuality…
Syrian Ambassador Bashar Ja’afari told reporters sponsors of the statement had “cornered” other members by springing the declaration on them. (U.N. divided over gay rights declaration Reuters - Dec 18, 2008 UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE4BH7EW20081218)
Thus, the Arab world has seen many problems with the morality of those who falsely claim Christianity. Hence, it is little wonder that most Arabs have rejected the Greco-Roman religions that falsely call themselves Christian.
And while there are many problems (moral, political, religious, social, and economic) in the Arab lands, it is nice to see that as a group, there are some sound doctrines that they are not backing away from in order to simply please those who seem to be set on the moral decline of the world.
However, another quite 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 Shi'ite Muslims regarding Jesus and the Mahdi. (Many of the Shi-ites are Iranian, and those who are Iranian are not Arabic.)
All Muslims, whether they are Shi’ite or Sunni, however expect Jesus to return at the time of judgment. Notice what the Koran (Qur'an) teaches:
043.057
YUSUFALI: When (Jesus) the son of Mary is held up as an example, behold, thy people raise a clamour thereat (in ridicule)!
PICKTHAL: And when the son of Mary is quoted as an example, behold! the folk laugh out,
SHAKIR: And when a description of the son of Marium is given, lo! your people raise a clamor thereat…
043.061
YUSUFALI: And (Jesus) shall be a Sign (for the coming of) the Hour (of Judgment): therefore have no doubt about the (Hour), but follow ye Me: this is a Straight Way. The Qur'an. From chapter 43, known as AZ-ZUKHRUF (ORNAMENTS OF GOLD, LUXURY). (http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/quran/043.qmt.html The Qur'an viewed 03/22/09 )
So, when Muslims see Jesus return, they should hopefully accept the truth of His coming.
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 (see also Can the Great Tribulation Begin in 2009, 2010, or 2011?). 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).
Gulf officials okay plans for monetary council, union...Finance chiefs of oil-rich Gulf states on Wednesday approved proposals to set up a monetary council and a draft charter for a monetary union, the Arab bloc's secretary general said. Finance and economy ministers of the six-member Gulf Cooperation Council approved the draft agreement for a monetary union and the council's bylaws at a meeting in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jeddah, Abdurrahman al-Attiyah told AFP. The endorsement of the proposals constitutes a major step toward adopting a single currency, Attiyah said. The monetary council, agreed in principle by GCC central bank governors in 2006, would be the forerunner for a GCC central bank, which will issue the single currency. But there is doubt about whether the GCC can meet its 2010 target date for a single currency (Gulf officials okay plans for monetary council, union. AFP - Sept 17, 2008. http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gYMmhdxN7HcoYV6S-oJcKvSh_vWw).
Also notice:
Gulf states take plunge to monetary union...
In a major step toward setting up a Gulf equivalent of the European Union, foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar on Sunday night signed a monetary pact aimed at setting up a central bank and a unified currency. (The Associated Press June 8, 2009, 8:05AM ET; http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D98MFT5G0.htm viewed 06/08/09)
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.
While some Arabs and Muslims leaders have concerns about Barack Obama, some seem to welcome his election.
Obama inspires Arab dreams – and despair
Hasan al Subaihi
* Last Updated: November 19. 2008 7:40PM UAE / GMTBefore the US elections, the majority of Arabs were vigorously supporting Obama, putting a lot of faith in his ability to help to resolve the situation in Iraq and mediating between the Arabs and Israelis. This desperate hope derives from disappointing past experiences that have led Arabs to believe that the US, for a number of reasons, will side with the Israelis.
The fact that Obama comes from a minority race that has suffered much throughout US history was enough for Arabs to believe that he would be different. Yet hope turned to widespread shock and disappointment when Obama announced his support for Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Among Arab intellectuals, however, it was common knowledge that the would-be President needed to display a fair amount of support to Israel to secure the votes of the American Jewish community – and an overwhelming number did indeed vote for him: 78 per cent.
Now the Arab public is divided into a dozen or more schools of thought about Obama...(Obama inspires Arab dreams – and despair. The National. http://www.thenational.ae/article/20081120/OPINION/599373803/-1/ART viewed 11/19/08).
Interestingly, there is an Shiite prophecy that indicates that someone will come prior to a Mahdi (who possibly might be the one the Bible identifies as the King of the South), and some feel that USA president-elect Barack Obama may be that person:
Is Barack Obama the “promised warrior” coming to help the Hidden Imam of Shiite Muslims conquer the world?
…a pro-government Web site published a Hadith (or tradition) from a Shiite text of the 17th century. The tradition comes from Bahar al-Anvar (meaning Oceans of Light) by Mullah Majlisi, a magnum opus in 132 volumes and the basis of modern Shiite Islam.
According to the tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (the prophet’s cousin and son-in-law) prophesied that at the End of Times and just before the return of the Mahdi, the Ultimate Saviour, a “tall black man will assume the reins of government in the West.” Commanding “the strongest army on earth,” the new ruler in the West will carry “a clear sign” from the third imam, whose name was Hussein Ibn Ali. The tradition concludes: “Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us.”
In a curious coincidence Obama’s first and second names–Barack Hussein–mean “the blessing of Hussein” in Arabic and Persian. His family name, Obama, written in the Persian alphabet, reads O Ba Ma, which means “he is with us,” the magic formula in Majlisi’s tradition (Taheri A. Obama and Ahmadinejad. Forbes - Oct 26, 2008 http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/26/obama-iran-ahmadinejad-oped-cx_at_1026taheri_print.html viewed 11/14/08).
Information on this prophecy was also in another article in Arabic that was translated into English:
According to the text that is the foundation of modern Shiite Islam, a prophecy that a tall black man would rule the West portends the coming of the Islamic redeemer.
Ali Ibn Abi-Talib—the prophet's cousin and son-in-law and the most revered figure in Shiite Islam—prophesied that before the return of the Mahdi, the ultimate redeemer in Islam, a tall black man will rule the West and will carry a "clear sign" from the Third Imam,Hussein Ibn Ali, according to the report by Iranian-born, London-based journalist Amir Taheri...The Mahdi (Arabic for "the guided one"), is supposed to return before Judgment Day to eliminate injustice and tyranny. The appearance of the Mahdi is not mentioned in the Quran or the Sunnah (Prophet's teachings), and many Sunni scholars view it as a Shiite invention...in the 132-volume work by Shiite scholar Mullah Majlisi (Nayouf, Hayyan. Translated from Arabic by Sonia Farid. Shiite scholar denies Obama link to Muslim savior. Dubai. November 4, 2008. http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2008/11/04/59490.html viewed 05/19/09).
Whether or not Barack Obama fits the above role (for more on that see Obama in Islamic Prophecy?), if enough Muslims start to believe that he does, this may help further unification and may help the future king of the South rise up. It is unlikely that the leader would be Persian--an Arab leader is much more likely. Since this leader is shown in the Bible to lose, Arabs should personally NOT support him!
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.
In August 2009, the Living Church of God reported the following:
Is a Middle-Eastern Army Coming? Recently, Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei “called on Muslim nations around the world to unite militarily in response to the imminent coming of the Islamic Messiah or Savior—the Mahdi. Khamenei, through his spokesman Ali Saeedi, “specifically beckoned the nations of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Afghanistan to join together with Iran in preparation for the Mahdi’s soon coming,” and unite against the U.S. and Israel. Saeedi emphasized that “obedience to the Ayatollah is the same as obedience to the Mahdi or the ‘guided one’—who is the prophesied savior of Islam” (WorldNetDaily.com, August 19, 2009). Just who will “head” a united Arab group remains to be seen. However, the call to establish a united Arab army is sobering indeed. God revealed through the prophet Daniel that, at the time of the end, a militaristic king of the south would arise and push against its counterpart, the king of the north (see Daniel 11). A king of the north with military potential appears to be forming in Europe. Now signs are appearing that a king of the south may soon begin to form. Shia Muslims believe that they can “usher in” the return of their “Muslim Messiah,” or Mahdi, through violence and the spread of Islam throughout the world. The Ayatollah’s recent exhortation is motivated by his belief in this philosophy. Bible prophecies are coming to pass.
Some in Islam have taught several things about the Mahdi that suggest that he is the King of the South of the Bible. Notice the following:
Rasaullah [Muhammed] said: "There will be four peace agreements between you and the Romans [Christians]. The fourth agreement will be mediated through a person who will be the progeny of Hadrat Haroon [Honorable Aaron -- Moses' brother] and will be upheld for seven years (Richardson J. Antichrist: Islam's Awaited Messiah. Pleasant Word, 2006, p. 48)
The above sounds similar to the seven year (one week in biblical language) agreement discussed in Daniel 9:27 that involves a "prince" who appears to be the one the Bible warns will become the King of the North and apparently the nation of Israel. It certainly would make sense that there would be Muslim representation in a peace deal.
However, the Bible shows that this deal will be broken (Daniel 9:27) and the King of the North will invade Jerusalem (Daniel 11:31) and ultimately the King of the South (Daniel 11:40-43). Notice that this too, however, seems to be consistent with some Islamic prophecy:
...a life of peace as a result of a peace agreement between you and the Banil Asfaar (Romans) which they will break and attack you (Ibn Zubair Ali, Mohammed Ali. The minor signs of Last Days from: The Signs of Qiyamah. http://www.islamawareness.net/Prophecies/minor.html viewed 06/21/09).
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).
If the Madhi is supposed to be betrayed, why would any Muslims support him?
There are several reasons for this.
The first is that it is a tenant of Islam to "believe in the last days", hence the understanding are to be believed (even though most Shi'a and Sunni disagree on the specifics).
The second is that many expect that the Madhi will make the world Islamic:
The Madhi will be victorius and eradicate those pigs and gods and the idols of this time...
The Mahdi...will cause Islam to be the only religion practiced on the Earth (Richardson J. Antichrist: Islam's Awaited Messiah. Pleasant Word, 2006, pp. 46,50-51)
The third is that certain Muslims believe that Jesus returns after the Mahdi and hence that the Madhi is a necessary step. Notice the following:
The last days, as described in Islam, are marked by the figures of Gog and Magog (Juj wa Jajuj), the Mahdi, the Antichrist (Dajjal), and Jesus...Gog and Magog, representing the forces of chaos, have been kept at bay...At the end of time, chaos will break through the wall of Divinely imposed order, and the world will succumb to "outer darkness". At the same time, it is believed, there will be a countercurrent, or a brief return to the state of spiritual lucidity and primordial integrity that obtained at the dawn of time. This is the reign of the Mahdi, the "rightly guided one"...
The reign of the Mahdi will be followed by that of the Antichrist... once the Antichrist has led away his followers, Jesus will then come to destroy the Antichrist in the closing moments of the cosmic drama.
Belief in the Mahdi has been rejected by noted Sunni authorities... (Glasse C. New Encyclopedia of Islam: A Revised Edition of the Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, 3rd edition, 2008, pp. 143, 316).
Some in Islam seem to essentially understand that the reign of the Beast and Antichrist will happen after the Mahdi's death. Now this is true, for the Arab lands. However, the Beast (King of the North) will rule in Europe and in some of the American lands, though, prior to his reign over Arab lands.
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, many of the nations will have become wealthy trading with Babylon (the restored European Empire which will profess some apparently ecumenical form of Catholicism):
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.
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. And perhaps also if one who claims to be Mary appear in their lands.
Before continuing, perhaps some information on the Islamic view of Jesus' mother Mary may be helpful:
Mary in Islam (مريم "Maryam" in Arabic), the mother of Jesus, is venerated as a righteous woman. She is mentioned more times in the Qur'an than in the entire New Testament. According to the Qur'an, Jesus (called 'Isa in Arabic) was born miraculously by the will of God without a father. His mother is regarded as a chaste and virtuous woman and is a highly respected figure in Islam. The Qur'an states that Jesus was the result of a virgin birth, but that neither Mary nor her son was divine. In the Qur'an, no other woman is given more attention than Mary. The nineteenth sura of the Qur'an is named after her and is, to some extent, about her life. Of the Qur'an's 114 suras, she is among only eight people who have a sura named after them. In Islam, she is generally referred to as Maryam, Umm Isa (Mary, the mother of Jesus). For Muslims she is a symbol of submission to God and piety. (Mary in Islam. Wikipedia, viewed 12/19/08).
Question: What does the Qur'an say about Mary, the mother of Jesus?
Answer: The Qur'an speaks of Mary (called Miriam in Arabic) not only as the mother of Jesus, but as a righteous woman in her own right. There is even a chapter of the Qur'an named for her (the 19th chapter of the Qur'an). For more information about Muslim beliefs regarding Jesus, please visit the FAQ Index. Below are some direct quotations from the Qur'an regarding Mary.
"Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East. She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them. Then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects. She said, 'I seek refuge from you to God Most Gracious! Do not come near me, if you fear God!' He said, 'No, I am only a messenger from your Lord, (to announce) to you the gift of a holy son.' She said, 'How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?' He said, 'So (it will be). Your Lord says, 'That is easy for Me, and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men, and a Mercy from Us. It is a matter (so) decreed'" (19:16-21, the Chapter of Mary)
"Behold! The angels said, 'Oh Mary! God has chosen you and purified you, chosen you above the women of all nations. Oh Mary! Worship your Lord devoutly. Prostrate yourself, and bow down (in prayer) with those who bow down'" (3:42-43).
"And (remember) she who guarded her chastity. We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples (21:91).
[While describing people who were good examples for others] "...And Mary, the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity. And We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit. She testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (servants)" (66:12).
"Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger; many were the messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how God makes His signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth!" (5:75). (What does the Qur'an say about Mary, the mother of Jesus? By Huda, About.com http://islam.about.com/cs/jesus/f/mary.htm viewed 12/19/08)
Since many within the Islamic world have a certain reverence towards Mary, it is possible that if some apparition claiming to be Mary appears in some Arabic location[s] that this might temporarily persuade the Arabs and their allies to somewhat accept the Beast (see also Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions).
Notice what two Catholic prophetesses have proclaimed concerning Mary and Islam:
Blessed Mary of Agreda (17th century): It was revealed to me that through the intercession of the Mother of God all heresies will disappear. The victory over heresies had been reserved by Christ for His Blessed Mother. In the last times, the Lord will in a special manner spread the renown of His Mother: Mary began salvation, and by her intercession it will be completed. Before the second coming of Christ, Mary must, more than ever, shine in mercy, might, and grace in order to bring unbelievers into the Catholic Faith. The power of Mary in the last times over the demons will be very conspicuous. Mary will extend the reign of Christ over the heathen and the Mohammedans…(Connor, Edward. Prophecy for Today. Imprimatur + A.J. Willinger, Bishop of Monterey-Fresno; Reprint: Tan Books and Publishers, Rockford (IL), 1984, p. 49)
St. Louis-Marie Grignion De Montfort (18th century): The power of Mary over all the devils will be particularly outstanding in the last period of time. She will extend the Kingdom of Christ over the idolaters and Moslems, and there will come glorious era when Mary is the Ruler and Queen of Hearts.(Dupont, Yves. Catholic Prophecy: The Coming Chastisement. TAN Books, Rockford (IL), 1973, p. 33)
Hence some Catholics apparently believe that "Mary" (see Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the Apparitions) will somehow convert/rule over the followers of Islam. Yet the Bible is clear that those in the Islamic world need to be careful not respond to deceptions of any kind (which includes apparitions).
Notice 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).
But because of various 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. And when you see these things coming to pass, while your nation may be deceived, you do not have to be.
God will provide another witness to the entire world at that time:
A nd I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth... 7 Now when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit will make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations will see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves (Revelation 11:3-4,7-9).
And although the above seems a little bleak, understand that people from many nations will have noticed the two witnesses.
Furthermore, many will understand the message of those witnesses and many will be called of God then:
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, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Revelation 7:9-10).
Those of the Arab nations will certainly be among those of "all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues" who will have responded. And more will respond after they are resurrected from the dead. Hence when you see the two witnesses rise up performing miracles and preaching against the future European Beast power, you should resist. More on the two witnesses can be found in the article Who Are The Two Witnesses?
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: