Dear friends:

Recent casualties in Iraq have served to increase the volume of the nay-sayers and who in 1970 former VP Spiro Agnew called "the nattering nabobs of negativism," who say that we should not be in Iraq here in the first place, and now that we are there, we should pull out.

Some ask, "Why are not we expending similar military effort in Sudan, North Korea, Iran and elsewhere where evil exists?"

I believe the answer lies not in America but in Israel, God's watch care over her, and God's prophetic plan.  Saddam Hussein was not only a threat to America (unlike Sudan) but mainly to Israel.  We know that he had WMDs, even though he may have hidden them or scooted them off to Syria just before the war, as the evidence shows.  We know he saw himself as a modern-day King Nebuchudnezzer and wanted to be a hero to Arabs everywhere.  He was even rebuilding Babylon.  It is a safe conclusion that in time, maybe sooner than later, he would have tried to destroy Israel in a surprise attack, which, if successful, would have made him super hero to Arabs and in his megalomaniac mind, King of the Middle East.  I believe that is why God led the U.S. to intervene -- to thwart this planned attack on Israel.  In the 1991 Gulf War, Saddam irrationally hurled 39 Scud missiles at Israel, but God protected them (Jesus was given 39 stripes at Calvary.)

In a related perspective, Bible scholar Dr. Hilton Sutton has written:
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***Look at Ezekiel 38:8, 11 & 14-15. Verse 8 clearly states that the restored Israel will be dwelling safely. Verse 11 describes the safe dwelling by stating Israel will have no need for bars, gates or walls. In other words, no need to either protect or defend herself from anyone. Such words describe "Peace in the Middle East."  The one reason peace has not come to the Middle East is terrorism. Terrorism must be brought down for the prophesied peace to come into being.
Our president, George Bush, and our nation are on a divine assignment: destroy international terrorism so the peace of Israel can become a reality. Remember, God's word does not fail. God watches over His word and performs it. The war with Iraq is part of the action necessary to bring about the prophesied Mid-East peace. Pray earnestly for President Bush, his administrators and all our military. Victory is assured. However, spiritual warfare is underway and we the believing community must join the fight. PRAY! Use your faith based on God's faithful word - not on fear.***
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With the death of Arafat and the appearance of the European Neighborhood Plan being orchestrated by the EU's Javier Solana, we are seeing other signs of possible temporary peace in Israel.

Iran is a big question mark, as they present a threat to Israel similar to Iraq.  If Dr. Sutton is correct, it will be interesting to watch how God deals with that one, diplomatically, militarily, by revolution, or what.  One difference with Iraq is, as evil as are the Iran leaders, none is a  megalomaniac or as personally dangerous as was Saddam.

Because of his humiliating defeat in 1991, Saddam no doubt also had a deep grudge against the U.S. and desire for Islamic revenge, and we know he was collaborating with Al Qaeda, thus he was a great danger to America.  This national interest is the primary outward reason why the U.S. is in Iraq, and maybe all American leaders understand; but I believe God's underlying reason lies mainly with Israel, the center of the world, and the center of God's plans.

The brave troops in Iraq are main players on the grand stage of history, even though they may not realize it.  May God bless them and keep both Western and Iraqi casualties to a minimum in the battle against evil terrorism.

Jim