Arab NATO, PCG, and the King of the South


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COGwriter

Another pan-Arabic military exercise is going on:

Plans for an ‘Arab NATO’ gathering momentum

November 14, 2018

With Arab nations’ militaries working more closely together than ever before and the political situation ripe, speculation abounds that we will witness the birth of the so-called “Arab NATO” this month.

The idea for such a security alliance was conceived by the Obama administration. …

Now, because of the second Qatar crisis, the plan to accelerate an Arab solution for a regional military alliance is a key project being pushed for by US National Security Adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Importantly, the proposed Arab NATO, tentatively known as the Middle East Strategic Alliance (MESA), is fully supported by senior Gulf officials. At the Abu Dhabi Strategic Debate on Sunday, UAE Minister of State Anwar Gargash said: “The UAE, along with Arab states, is increasingly playing a role to address security challenges in the region. We are pushing alongside the US to form a strategic alliance to counter these issues.” Bolton’s meeting with the UAE security leadership on Monday was related to moving toward a greater cohesion on the Arab NATO issue.

An Arab military alliance, and how it begins to coalesce, is going to have to take the lessons of Yemen to heart in terms of its operations and operational capacity. …

Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s naval, air and ground units are conducting ongoing war games in western Egypt, with delegations from Morocco and Lebanon participating as observers. These military exercises, named “Arab Shield 1,” are significant as never before have these six Arab states conducted joint military exercises. It’s an important start that only occurred after Pompeo met with fellow foreign ministers to discuss the launch of the alliance. http://www.arabnews.com/node/1404891

The Obama and Trump Administrations have supported the idea. And yes, according to Bible prophecy a military alliance of nations including Egypt will occur (cf. Daniel 11:40-43; Ezekiel 30:2-8). The leader of this coming alliance is called the King of the South in the Bible.

But many misunderstand the related prophecies.

Today, PCG posted the following by Michael Davis:

Military Drills in Egypt Point to Forecasted Alliance

November 14, 2018

Eight Middle Eastern nations kicked off military drills on November 3, taking another step closer to cementing a vital alliance.Egypt is hosting the two-week long Shield of the Arabs 1 (also referred to as Arab Shield 1) military drills, in which land, sea and air troops and equipment from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan are participating. Lebanon and Morocco are sending observers and advisers. …

The group of nations participating in these drills falls mostly in line with a prophecy that the Trumpet has been watching to see see fulfilled for years. This prophecy is outlined in our short article “The Psalm 83 Alliance.” …

“The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them …” (Psalm 83:6-8). …

This accounts for six of the eight participants in the Shield of the Arabs 1 military drills: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Lebanon.

The prophecy in Psalm 83 relates to another prophecy recorded in the book of Daniel. (Daniel 11:40-43). …

The “king of the south” is Iranian-led radical Islam, …

Even though Egypt is hosting the Shield of the Arabs 1 drills, in the end, this country will not be allied with Saudi Arabia and the other nations taking part in the drills. Based on what you can read in your own Bible, you can expect Egypt to draw closer and closer to Iran.

As instrumental as the Psalm 83 alliance will be in conquering Iran, it will not stop there. This group of nations has a much loftier goal: conquering the United States, Britain and Israel. …

(Psalm 83:1-5). In this prophecy, “Israel” refers to more than just the Jewish nation in the Middle East currently bearing that name. The end-time nations of Israel consist principally of the United States, the United Kingdom and Israel. https://www.thetrumpet.com/17908-military-drills-in-egypt-point-to-forecasted-alliance

Notice that PCG improperly claims that Iran, which is basically due east of Jerusalem, is going to be the final King of the South of biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:40-43).

This view is in error and caused it to misunderstand various aspects of prophecy.

Notice something from PCG’s Gerald Flurry in 2011:

Psalm 83 is fulfilled almost immediately after a Germany-led Europe conquers Iran and radical Islam (Daniel 11:40-43).“Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people [Israel], and consulted against thy hidden [or sheltered] ones” (Psalm 83:1-3).

These enemies are conspiring against biblical Israel. … The mystery of the Psalm 83 prophecy is being removed. (Flurry G. A Mysterious Prophecy. Philadelphia Trumpet, May-June 2011).

Partially, because Gerald Flurry falsely claims that Iran is the King of the South, he misunderstands Psalm 83 and Gerald Flurry has NOT removed its ‘mystery’ as he claims.

Since Herbert W. Armstrong believed that king would be Egypt and/or an Arabic Muslim leader and that Psalm 83 happens prior to the King of the South being taken over by the German-led King of the North, as that is what was published while he was alive by the church he was the physical leader of (see Is There A Future King of the South?), Gerald Flurry did not get this from Herbert W. Armstrong.

So where did he get this?

Well, not from the Bible.  In my view, he got it from his own imagination.

In the May-June 2014 issue of the Philadelphia Trumpet the following was written by its leader Gerald Flurry in his article Why You Need to Watch Lebanon:

Prophecy Tells Us… the Bible specifically describes an alliance between Arab states (including the Saudis) and a European power…

And it is such European intrusion that will cause Iran to PUSH at the king of the north. Iran is going to strike back with a lot of power! However, as Daniel 11:40 states, that is going to lead to Iran’s destruction. A German-led Europe is going to conquer Iran and have controlling power over the other nations aligned with the king of the south, such as Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Ethiopia. Then, brimming with confidence following that victory, Germany will exploit its alliance with the Arabs to pursue even greater ambitions.

A Prophesied Alliance

Let’s look at a prophecy of what will occur immediately after the Daniel 11:40 prophecy. It has everything to do with Europe’s involvement in Lebanon. “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” (Psalm 83:4).. This is an end-time prophecy about Israel. But it is not talking only about the Jewish nation called Israel today. Anciently, Israel had 12 tribes; today there are 12 nations of Israel. We explain that truth thoroughly in The United States and Britain in Prophecy

Verses 5-8 list a number of nations that will be allied to bring about Israel’s destruction…

Furthermore, considering that this is an end-time prophecy, there must be some people that God will give understanding to about who is who here—otherwise why even prophesy it?

While Gerald Flurry is correctly indicating that Psalm 83 will involve countries such as the USA being attacked, there are several issues with what he wrote in that article.

First, Iran, which is basically straight east of Jerusalem is NOT the King of the South.

Secondly, Gerald Flurry is teaching that the deal in Psalm 83:3-8 occurs AFTER the destruction of the King of the South in Daniel 11:40.  He is in error.

Gerald Flurry’s position also disagrees with what the old Worldwide Church of God taught.  Notice the order in the following:

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. As shown earlier, the “king of the north” of Daniel 11–the leader of the German-led European union–will ultimately turn against the Arab “king of the south,”…Daniel 11:40-41: 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. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979)

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

The deal of Psalms 83:3-8 happens while the prince/King of the North is still on speaking terms with the King of the South, though they both lie to each other:

27 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 11:27)

PCG’s Gerald Flurry is not leading the group that is properly explaining this prophecy.  The deal of Psalm 83:4-8 takes place before the destruction of the USA, which happens in Daniel 11:39.  It is AFTER the USA is knocked out of the way that the King of the South will feel emboldened enough to push against the King of the North.

Now, while there will come the alliance in Psalm 83, notice what the Bible says its purpose is:

4 They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, That the name of Israel may be remembered no more.” 5 For they have consulted together with one consent; They form a confederacy against You: 6 The tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites; Moab and the Hagrites; 7 Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek; Philistia with the inhabitants of Tyre; 8 Assyria also has joined with them; They have helped the children of Lot. (Psalm 83:4-8)

Note that this passage of scripture is suggesting that the descendants of Israel (which not only includes the modern state of Israel, but also much of the English-speaking world, cf. Genesis 48:13-16–see a discussion of this in Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel) will be bothered by a confederation of basically Arabic/Islamic peoples from the Middle East (not Ethiopians), who will also somewhat align with a European power (see Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History and Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy). It is the descendants of Israel, not Iran that is the focus of the Psalm 83 alliance. While PCG understands some about the end time descendants of Israel, it errs by claiming that the Psalm 83 alliance will conquer a King of the South Iran.

In 1966 and 1979, the old Radio/Worldwide CG taught that the King of the South would arise and make a deal with the King of the North as shown in Psalm 83:

But who is the “king of the south”?…in verse 40 we skip to “the time of the end”…The verse undoubtedly found partial fulfillment in the offensive of 1896…But Mussolini did not finish the prophecy…Just as there is yet to be a final “king of the north”…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…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…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]…Daniel 11:40-41…The Arab-Moslem Confederation will, of course, be thrown into chaotic disarray in the fact of invasion. (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 11-12).

Turn to the astounding prophecy found in Psalm 83:1-8. David, inspired of God, predicted the coming time when ALL of Israel’s enemies would join together in an effort to crush out even the name “Israel” from the face of the earth! (Verse 4) “For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee…” (verse 5). Notice the nations making up this confederation. “Edom [Turkey], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia]; Moab [Jordan], and the Hagarenes [they anciently dwelt in the land known as Syria today]; Gebal {Lebanon}, and Ammon [Jordan] and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur [whose descendants migrated to Germany] is joined with them; they have helped the children of Lot” {Moab and Ammon in modern Jordan). Here we see that the Arab nations mentioned are allied with Germany (Assur) which we know from other prophecies will be the military leader — naturally so — of a United States of Europe…Egypt…will provoke the prophesied United Europe (Dan. 11:40). This European power — called the “king of the north” in Daniel 11 — shall invade and occupy the “glorious land” of Palestine (verse 41). “And the land of Egypt shall not escape”(Boraker R. SYRIA RAIDS ISRAEL – Where Is It Leading? Plain Truth. November 1966)

The above quotes shows that the WCG believed it would involve some type of Arab-Islamic confederation. And that is consistent with Ezekiel 30:2-8.

In the 21st century, former WCG member Craig White had a slightly different identification of the nations in Psalm 83:

“Keep not Thou silence O God …

For lo, Thine enemies make a tumult …

They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people …

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.’

They are confederate against thee:

The Tabernacles of Edom [Turkey and Central Asia], and the Ishmaelites [Saudi Arabia], Of Moab [Jordan, with some in Syria and Iraq] and the Hagarenes [Saudi Arabia]:

Gebal [in Lebanon] and Ammon [Jordan], and Amalek [Central Asians]: the Philistines [Berbers and possibly the Palestinians] with the inhabitants of Tyre [southern Italians, symbolic also of the United Europe]

Assur [Germany] also is joined with them” (Ps 83:1-8). (White C. : Rise of the King of the North. Email, received September 12, 2015)

Iraq, contrary to PCG’s claims, will be part of the Psalm 83 alliance. The arrangement of the King of the South is also different than what PCG teaches. The late WCG evangelist Raymond McNair wrote:

Daniel 11 also mentions some of the Mideast peoples who will be involved in that struggle among the nations at the close of this age. The belligerents will include the “King of the North,” the leader of the European Union (or its final outgrowth, called the “Beast”). The “King of the South” (an Islamic leader—apparently from Egypt {or} some other Muslim state) is also referred to. The following lands/peoples are specifically mentioned: Egypt, the Holy Land (Israel/Palestine), the Ethiopians (modern Cushites, south of Egypt), Libya, Edom, Moab and Ammon. Many descendants of the ancient peoples known as Edomites or Idumeans now live in the West Bank, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Arabia, Yemen, the Persian Gulf states, etc. (McNair R. Solving the Arab-Israeli Impasse! Copyright Raymond F. McNair 2005, Church of God—21st Century).

While there has long been a League of Arab States, and Saudi Arabia has taken some steps to work towards the development of an Islamic military force without Iran (see World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South? and/or watch Did Saudi Arabia announce the King of the South?), more steps will be taken.

As far as Iran goes, I have long written that it will likely somehow be neutralized prior to the fulfillment of some of the prophecies related to the King of the South and that Iran will NOT be the King of the South.

Iran wants to bully Sunni Muslims into supporting it and will likely take military steps, such as possibly against Israel (cf. Isaiah 22:1-14) when it feels the timing is right. But it will NOT end up well (Jeremiah 49:34-38).

And while Psalm 83 will be fulfilled, and it does involve many Sunni Muslim nations, its purpose is not to eliminate Iran, though those nations may well cooperate in Iran’s ‘neutralization.’

In the meantime, we are seeing more military cooperation among Arabic armies and this will tie in with the rise of the final King of the South that the Bible prophesies.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
Gaza and the Palestinians in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible teach about Gaza and the fate of the Palestinians? Here is a link to a related video: Gaza and Palestine in Prophecy.
Damascus and Syria in Prophecy Will Bashar Assad hold power as he has it? Does the Bible show that Damascus, the capital of Syria, will be destroyed? What will happen to Syria? Will the Syrians support the final King of the South that the Bible tells will rise up? Which scriptures discuss the rise and fall of an Arabic confederation? Does Islamic prophecy predict the destruction of Syria. This is a YouTube video.
Egypt in Prophecy Does Egypt have a special role in end time prophecy? Will Egypt rise up and then be defeated. What does God teach will happen to those in Egypt? Here is a link to a YouTube video titled Egypt and End Time Prophecy.
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a related YouTube video titled Iran In Prophecy.
Teachings Unique to the Philadelphia Church of God Simply calling oneself ‘Philadelphia’ does not make one so (see Revelation 3:7-9), nor does Gerald Flurry calling himself “that prophet” make it so. This article provides many quotes from this group which tries to look faithful.
The Falling Away: The Bible and WCG Teachings Who is 2 Thessalonians 2:3 referring to? Are there multiple falling aways? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: La Apostasía: Enseñanzas de la Biblia y de la WCG. There are also two YouTube videos on the subject that you can watch The Falling Away Part 1: From the Bible and Church History and The Falling Away Part 2: Positions Presented by Others.
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
CCOG.ORG Continuing Church of God The group striving to be most faithful amongst all real Christian groups to the word of God. To see how CCOG has done so far, here are links to two sermons Continuing Church of God (CCOG) first year anniversary: What has been accomplished? and The Continuing Church of God: Two Years of Proclamation. Here is a written link to a version of that sermon in the Spanish language: Aniversario del primer año de la Continuación de la Iglesia de Dios: ¿Qué se ha cumplido?
Germany’s Assyrian Roots Throughout History Are the Germanic peoples descended from Asshur of the Bible? Have there been real Christians in Germanic history? What about the “Holy Roman Empire”? There is also a You-Tube video sermon on this titled Germany’s Biblical Origins.
Germany in Biblical and Catholic Prophecy Does Assyria in the Bible equate to an end time power inhabiting the area of the old Roman Empire? What does prophecy say Germany will do and what does it say will happen to most of the German people?
Satan’s Plan Does Satan have a plan? What is it? Has it already been successful? Will it be successful in the future? Here are links to a two-part sermon series: What are Some of the Parts of Satan’s Plan? and Satan’s Plan is More Dramatic than Many Realize.



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