Dear friends:
 
On TBN last night, Benny Hinn was interviewing prophecy scholar Dr. Hilton Sutton, mostly asking him questions about the end of the age, which both agreed we are near.
 
Hinn asked, “What about Iraq?  How does that fit into prophecy”?  Sutton replied by describing the history of the area.
 
First, he said, the Bible describes it as the land of Eden, an expanse of land wherein eastward was the garden of Eden, according to the book of Genesis.  It was God’s land, which Satan usurped, through Adam’s sin.
 
Then in the time of Abraham, it was called Chaldea.
 
Then later it was called Babylonia.
 
Now it is called Iraq.
 
Perry Stone has taught that the area is where Satan’s throne on earth is.  It is where Satan entered the garden and has since been an area of extreme idolatry, false religion, violence and death, largely closed to the gospel.
 
Hilton Sutton has this strange idea not seen in some prophecy circles that God is in control and working all things out, even evil, for good and for His purposes.
 
He said he believes that God is using the United States to restore the land and to accomplish His purposes.
 
As Iraq becomes more free and safe, no doubt missionaries will pour in by the thousands, just as they did when the Soviet Union fell, spreading the gospel to tens of millions.  In fact, I have no doubt it is already happening, as bold and courageous missionaries dare spit in the devil’s eye as they are doing all over the world in dangerous lands.
 
The result will be tens of millions of Iraqis hearing the gospel and having a chance to receive Christ, entering the eternal Kingdom.
 
President Bush’s main message is freedom and democracy for Iraq.  He may or may not realize how God will use this to help fulfill the Great Commission.  I suspect that he does but, of course, he cannot say it publicly.
 
I believe the interview with Dr. Sutton will continue on TBN today (December 8).
 
Jim