Friday, November 23, 2012

 
Egypt, Iran, Turkey--a prophetic union  

Middle East analysts not only for media organizations, but also at the State Department and within the intelligence community continually say that the only thing Sunni and Shiite Muslims hate worse than each other is Jews and Israel. These analysts see no way in which the Sunni and Shiite leadership will work together long enough to unite against their stated common enemy. Cited often is the serious and real divide between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran. The Saudis and Egypt do not want a Middle East controlled by Iran. The two sides of the division will fight to the death if they are given the opportunity. With the one exception--whether analysts will admit it or not--being Israel.

Islam has its origins in the Bible. Genesis 16:11-12 prophesies to Hagar the Egyptian handmaiden of Abraham's wife Sarah: "And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael... And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." The Hebrew translation says "living his life at odds with all his kinsmen." Instead of Isaac, Muslims consider Ishmael the chosen son of Abraham. This theme is repeated with Jacob's brother Esau, who married Ishmael's daughter Bashemath as well as Canaaanite women (Genesis 36:2). Islam's founder, Muhammad, claimed to be a direct descendent of Ishmael.

Ezekiel 38 gives a coalition of nations that come against Israel. They are led by Gog, the chief prince of Magog. The areas mentioned in connection to Gog originate from the Assyrian Empire and are located in modern Turkey. These are descendants of the Egyptian Hagar. Persia is also mentioned, which is modern Iran. In modern terms, these players represent both Shiite and Sunni Muslims who unite against Israel in the "acharit-hayamim," meaning the end of days. They will do battle against Israel and YHVH will destroy them with earthquakes, fire and brimstone. Ezekiel 36: 21 follows the prophesy in Genesis, saying, "...every man's sword shall be against his brother."

When we see news stories where the terrorist leadership of Hamas extends a public "thank you" (AFP Nov 19) to Egypt's president Morsi and Iran (who he says "had a role in arming" Hamas), we can see how Shiite and Sunni can put aside their differences and unify against Israel. Furthermore, they came into union as Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogen and Morsi worked together at the request of the president of the United States. This is a clear instance where we can see how modern politics can work hand in hand to fulfill ancient prophecies. These prophecies are yet unfulfilled, but like layers of an onion that eventually bring us to the core, layers of prophecy are being revealed with the help of global politics.  
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
Bill Wilson