What’s happening in the Middle East? As countries one by one lose their authoritative rulers and new voices trumpet their causes on the global stage the world shutters. Some people rejoice over the promise of freedom, while others seek answers from the ancient text. What’s happening in the Middle East? For over two thousand years the West has feared those in the East. Ancient Rome, the most powerful empire in the world, feared the Parthian warriors whose expert cavalry bowmen had conquered the entire territory from the Euphrates to the Indus. During the Holy Roman Empire the Church and its people also feared the encroachment of Islam into its territories which was countered with the Crusades. There have been many skirmishes between East and West over the years with the culmination of terrorists from the East relentlessly attacking the West.

But now we see something new, instead of attacking the West the people are attacking their own leaders seeking to throw off their old restraints and find a new path. What is really happening in the Middle East? As stated in my blog last week some believe that there will be a new spiritual leader, the Mahdi that will come in the last days to unite all the Muslim nations and dominate the world. There is a call from some to institute Sharia Law not only in the East, but also in the West. Quite clearly they see Islam as the only true religion that can save humanity from certain calamity as it sinks further into the pit of moral degeneration. There is a real fear that as each country’s dictator is overthrown it creates a void to be filled by radical Islam. And it’s this radical element that longs for their spiritual leader to bring all Muslims together in a Holy war against the West.

From a biblical perspective God deals with the entire world and that includes the Muslims. It is written in our sacred text, the Holy Bible, that in the last days when the revived Roman Empire and its political leader is exercising his authority over the entire world, that God’s angel will “pour out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water is dried up to prepare the way for the kings of the East.” (Rev. 16:12) Why would God allow this to happen? Are not most of His people living in the West? Before we are too critical of God let’s be clear that the Bible does not say that the kings from the East will defeat the West, nor does it say that West under the leadership of the Antichrist will defeat the kings from the East. What is clear, however, is that he brings them both to the valley of decision – which is also referred to as Armageddon. It is here where the great battle takes place between God and all of fallen humanity. It is very instructive that prior to God destroying all of fallen humanity in this final battle, God issues a final warning to His people. “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.” (Rev. 16:15)

So here is the point friends, we do not need to fear what is happening in the Middle East, but we do need to fear God who is sitting on His Throne. As the biblical Antichrist begins to exercise his power in the West this country will not become more righteous. On the contrary those in the West will be deceived into thinking that they can build the perfect world without God. They will be deceived into thinking that they can develop their own self righteousness to save the world and defeat their enemies (specifically the hordes from the East). In fact this deception will deepen where the Antichrist will promise to protect Israel, and then break his covenant with her at the last moment. Retrospectively, as the Antichrist tightened his grip on the entire world through miracles signs and wonders the deception will grow. But the truth is man must die to self and trust in God alone for His imputed righteousness. Those who awake to this truth and put on the righteousness of God will “not go naked and be shamefully exposed” at Christ’s magnificent return to earth. Friends, we need to be more concerned about our being ready for the coming of Christ rather than the turmoil in the Middle East.

Copyright © 2011 Rev. Daniel W. Blair – All content (blog articles) have been published in my new book: “Revelation Truth” available in our bookstore or at a bookstore near you.