The Egyptian seizure of the Suez Canal, with the resultant confusion in the capitals of the world, points up very significantly the deterioration of Western influence in the Middle East, the growing menace to the little nation of Israel, a coming conflict over Palestine, and the fast approaching time of the end. For many years the Balkan nations were considered the tinderbox of Europe, but now the Middle East appears to be the tinderbox of the world. All eyes are focused there. It is the crossroads of the world in international shipping; it holds 66% or more of the world's known oil reserves; it is the meeting place of Eastern and Western culture; it is the cradle of the three great religions of the world—Christianity, Judaism, and Mohammedanism; and now with the emergence of Russia in that sphere, a fourth great concept—atheism—will vie for a place.
Since the close of World War 1, the Western world has dominated the Middle East, directed its policies, trained and managed its armies, and developed its resources; but today that is largely over. Egypt has cast off the British yoke, and now acts defiantly. France and England have given up their protectorates, and now have to accept insults from some whom they once governed.
Russia in the days of the czars sought every opportunity to gain control in the Middle East, but for many years now has discreetly abstained from any great activity in the region, although without doubt her aims have been the same. Now she sees an opportunity to exploit troubles there to the discomfiture of the West. She has always liked to fish in troubled waters, so now she has supplied Egypt with armaments and much other assistance, and is actively supporting her nationalization of the Canal.
In the midst of all the Suez talks, Israel's place in this picture is obscured. That little nation is right in the middle of it. Its very existence is threatened by the build-up of Arab military strength, for it is no secret that Arab hostility to Israel continues and increases. The border incidents in which Arab marauders and infiltrators murder Israeli citizens and destroy property continue unabated in spite of Jordanian and Egyptian signed pledges of cease-fire agreements. Every passing incident in which the Arabs successfully defy the West increases their intransigence, and hostile intentions toward Israel. In their minds Israel and the West are closely identified, which to a large extent is true. The tiny nation of Israel is predominantly Western in culture, methods, and general thinking, plus their ties of nature with relatives in Western countries. Thus the West shares in any Arab ill feeling toward Israel, and vice versa.
The Western statesmen are at their wits' end, for on the one hand they must consider the strong political power of the Jews in their own countries and not act in a way to alienate the Jewish vote, while, on the other hand, they must try to avoid alienating the Arabs in their international dealings; for they can ill afford to lose their financial stakes in the Middle East, or to endanger their source of Middle-Eastern oil. Russia does not have to consider how Russian Jews feel, nor what the nation of Israel does; therefore it is to her interest to support the Arabs, and drive a further wedge between them and the West. All this is bringing the day closer when the Arabs will rise up to war against Israel. Mohammedanism has often engaged in jihads, or holy wars, which arouse the Moslem multitudes to frenzied zeal in a cause which God is supposed to be espousing. This is already being talked and urged by agitators in Arab nations. Their rabble-rousing efforts combine a nationalistic appeal with religious fervor.
And while Western statesmen and politicians look on the troubled Middle East, hoping against hope that some formula can be evolved that will keep the status quo, God also is watching affairs, for there is the land that He gave to Abraham and to his seed after him, and the land where His beloved Son lived and walked and suffered, the land to which He will return in power and glory for the destruction of all hostile powers, and the blessing of the millennial earth. He has foretold much of what is going to happen there, and because He has spoken it will come to pass.
Shall we ask, Who are these Arabs? Through the centuries there has been a mingling of the peoples of that area, but basically they are the descendants of Abraham and Isaac through Ishmael and Esau. How strange that they should have such open enmity toward their brethren! And yet it was so from the beginning. Did not Ishmael mock at the time of Abraham's feast at the weaning of Isaac? Were not he and his Egyptian mother cast out of Abraham's house at that time? (See Gen. 21.) And before Ishmael was born God said, "He will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him." Gen. 16:1212And 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. (Genesis 16:12). Is not the wild man now preparing to display his characteristics?
And what of Esau? He was the elder twin brother of Jacob; he sold his birthright to the grasping Jacob, and when he lost the blessing too, he determined to kill Jacob, but as time elapsed, peace was made between them. In the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, God refers to the unrelenting hatred of the descendants of Esau (or Edom) to the children of Israel.
Two other peoples, descendants of Abraham's nephew Lot, are also included in the present enemies of Israel—the children of Moab and Ammon (G en. 19:37,38). Their hostility to Israel in bygone days can also be traced in the Scriptures. At present, the capital city of the nation of Jordan is Amman, and in Old Testament times it was called "Rabbah of the children of Ammon" (2 Sam. 12:2626And Joab fought against Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and took the royal city. (2 Samuel 12:26)). It was there that Uriah the Hittite was slain by "the sword of the children of Ammon." v. 9.
In Psalm 83, where the future alignment of the neighboring enemies of Israel is given prophetically, we find the descendants of all four, among others, mentioned as saying, "Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance." v. 4. Steps leading up to this confederacy have been in the making for some time, and every fresh incident of trouble between the West and the Middle East propels the forces forward which will unite in their attempts to eliminate Israel. Nothing short of it will satisfy the jihad agitators.
In all likelihood, it will be such a war for the extermination of Israel (together with other international events) that will force the foil/lotion of the revived Roman Empire whose armies will rescue the Jews and give them back their land, including Jerusalem and its shrines, under their protection in a solemn compact for a period of seven years. For "he," the head of the revived Roman Empire, "shall confirm" a covenant with the mass of the Jews who will be placed back in Palestine for a period of "one week"; or, a period composed of seven years. It is decreed and it will come to pass. (For the study of this amazing prophecy in Dan. 9, secure from Bible Truth Publishers either Wm. Kelly's or E. Dennett's book on Daniel.)
But let us not forget that this period of the grace of God and the gathering out of a people on earth for heaven is a parenthesis in that prophecy, and it will be concluded by the Lord's taking the Christians out of the world before the league is made between the Jews and the Western beast. With everything being readied for the Arab world to rise up against the Jews, and for the West to come to their rescue and to make a league with them for seven years, how VERY near His coming for us MUST BE. May we lift up our eyes with a bright and steady anticipation that He may come TODAY. One of these days will be the last one for the Church of God on earth. May we be found "watching and waiting," with our hearts transfixed by the glories of the coming One.
In view of the national election this month in the United States (which as never before is of world-wide import) it is well that Christians should weigh well the bearings of their heavenly citizenship—"For our conversation [or, citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Phil. 3:2020For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: (Philippians 3:20). We belong to another world and are but strangers and pilgrims here. We are only passing through this scene as intelligent beholders of what happens, for God has treated us as friends and told us where all the politics of this world are to end. As the world once rejected the Son of God and cried with one voice, Give us Barabbas, so in the end they will rally to a man who will exalt himself and claim the honors of deity. As far as men were able, they cast God out of the world, and are hastening on to the day when they will exalt a man in the place of God.
Our God and Father is providentially governing behind the scenes, and the man whom He chooses will be elected. This may or may not be for good according to men's thoughts, but it will further His purposes, and the ultimate of His purposes is that the Man of His choice—"the man Christ Jesus"—shall reign in righteousness.
He who "removeth kings, and setteth up kings" (Dan. 2:2121And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: (Daniel 2:21)), and sometimes sets up "the basest of men" (Dan. 4:1717This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. (Daniel 4:17)), also controls the destinies of democracies, allowing the winds of public opinion to blow one way or another, to the end that what He has determined shall be done.
Our acquaintance beforehand with the final result of the world's politics, our being fully persuaded that our Father's will is being done now, and the conscious knowledge of our portion in a better sphere, should keep us tranquil and composed no matter what happens in this or any other country. We who have been informed of "things not seen as yet" should not only be submissive to the will of God in such matters, but really have no will of our own whatever, no more than an angel would have who was sent from heaven into the world on a certain mission. But Christians are constantly in danger of forgetting that they are not of this world, even as He is not of it.
When the Lord Jesus was here, politics were bad, but He did not lift a finger or utter a word to change them; when the Apostle Paul labored here, they were still worse, but not once did he express a wish to change things, or give instructions to Christians to help do so, or even to pray for it. In the days of the ruthless and capricious tyrant Nero, Paul wrote of the emperor's agents that they were the ministers of God for good (Rom. 13:44For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. (Romans 13:4)). We are exhorted to "fear God, and honor the king," to "obey magistrates" and the "powers that be," while we pass through this world. And while doing so we can sing:
"We are but strangers here,
Heaven is our home."