"What in this World is God Doing?" A series of articles designed to correlate current events with Bible Prophecy. They are all a kind of commentary on that which is prophesied in the Word of God. Many events we are seeing today are the very things Bible believing preachers have been predictively declaring for decades.

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January 14, 2012...25 Facts About Iraq ^[1]

The beginning of the concept of nations is found in Genesis 10: 10. Up until Then there were only two family lines, Cain, and Seth. All of both lines were wiped out in the flood of Noah. Now, all mankind descends from the three sons of Noah. Genesis 11 shows how God took all the families of the earth and scattered them across the globe (vs. 1,2 9). Chapter 10:31, 32, shows the earth was divided according to the tongues (languages), in their nations. Chapter 11 gives the details of how it happened, at Babel. Conclusively, the history of the nations begins with Babel, and ends with the same (Revelation 17, 18).

Peleg means, "to divide; earthquake.” It was in his days that the division took place, a century after the flood (Genesis 10:25). The bounds of the nations were set according to the chosen nation, Israel (Deuteronomy 32:8).

The perversion of Babel’s generation is cited in Romans 1:18ff. Yet, God raised up a testimony to them, in Israel (Exodus 34:10). Nevertheless, Babel (Babylon) must pay for what she did to God’s people, as observed below:

1. God is against her (Jeremiah 50:1).
2. God commands that His plans not be kept secret (Jeremiah 50:2)
3. Her idolatrous religion will be destroyed (Jeremiah 50:2; 51:52; Isaiah 47:12-14). Her boast is in her false religion. Allah is but an ancient god whom Mohammed exalted as a substitute for the True and living God of Abraham (Jeremiah 50:38b; Revelation 14:8; 17:5,6). Babylon, or, Babel, is the mother of all the world’s religions, and the source of all the martyrdom of God’s true servants (Revelation 18:24). She, with her religion, shall be destroyed and the One True God Identified (Jeremiah 51:18, 19).
4. Destruction shall come from the North (Jeremiah 50:3, 9). Due North of Iraq is Turkey, and then Russia. Russia’s allies, involving nations distant from her, geographically, will be included (Jeremiah 50:9, 41; 51:27, 28, 48; Isaiah 13:4, 5). The invasion shall not be futile (Jeremiah 50:10).
5. Iraq shall become a desolate and barren country, devoid of both man and (domesticated) beast (Jeremiah 50:3,12,13, 21-23,26-35,39,40; 51:1-4,26,43; Isaiah 13:19-22; 14:22,23; Revelation 18:2). Only wild creatures shall inhabit the land (Jeremiah 50:39,40; 51:37).
6. The time frame is in the "days" (Heb. Yom {24 hr, or period of time, depending upon the context}), and "time" (Heb. Ayth {The time of an occurrence}, when Israel shall seek the Lord, as one nation (Jeremiah 50:4). Jeremiah 25:1-26 intimates a fulfillment of these prophecies beyond the immediate context of the Babylonian Captivity. The remainder of the chapter shows the destruction to be worldwide, and not on Babylon alone. Such utter destruction could only be fulfilled at the battle of Armageddon.
7. It is when they shall seek a real covenant, to replace the one which Antichrist has broken (Jeremiah 50:5, 6).
8. It is when the dispersion shall end (Jeremiah 50:6).
9. It is when her adversaries will claim to be doing God’s will, in persecuting Israel; they will claim to be punishing her in behalf of God (Jeremiah 50:7). Note John 16:2.
10. Iraq will be punished because of her persecution and taunting of Israel (Jeremiah 50:11 Isaiah 47:6; Zechariah 2:7, 8). She will be punished for her defilement and robbing of God’s temple (Jeremiah 51:11)
11. As Israel is now the least of the nations, so Iraq shall be in that day (Jeremiah 50:12). But first she must rise to great power in the world! (Jeremiah 50:11, 23; 5 1:13, 25; Isaiah 1 Revelation 18). Col. Oliver North stated on Fox News Network, on Thursday Night, January 9, 2003, that upon the defeat of Saddam Hussein, the establishment of democracy in Iraq would be a tremendous and immediate success. Unlike our experience in Afghanistan, Iraq’s people are educated and well able to seize hold of democracy and make it work. Could it be that we will succeed in removing Saddam, and Iraq will become a powerful world democratic and capitalistic nation?
12. The wrath upon her shall be unlimited (Jeremiah 50:14, 15; Revelation 18:21-23), total retribution (Isaiah 13:13-19).
13. As Iraq has destroyed the nations by force and cruelty (Jeremiah 51:25), so shall she be. She will be riding high among the nations, but God will surprise her with His destruction (Jeremiah 50:23-25; Psalm 137:8, 9; Isaiah 14:4-6; 47:11). God will use the alliance to do His work. Iraq will even be in an alliance that will destroy Egypt (Ezekiel 32, note verses 11, 12). Verse 15 places it at the end time.
14. Iraq will be found out in her lie (Jeremiah 50:36), and will act foolishly.
15. Iraq will become weak as women and fall in battle (Jeremiah 50:37, 43; 51:30-32). The nationals shall give up without a fight (Jeremiah 50:16; Isaiah 13:7, 8).
16. Iraq is said to dwell, or reside, upon many waters (Jeremiah 51:13). Many miles from her are the Caspian Sea (to the Northeast), the Black Sea (North), the Mediterranean Sea (West), the Red Sea (a long way across Saudi Arabia, Southwest). The Persian Gulf is immediately to her Southeast, to which she has a small area of access (between the borders of Kuwait and Iran), wherein the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers converge. A flood of waters will devastate her (Jeremiah 51:16, 42, 55), and a destroying wind (Jeremiah 51:1,2). Her waters will be dried up (Jeremiah 50:38a; 51:36). She will then sink in the sand (or, in the Tigris or Euphrates River), and be no more (Jeremiah 51:63, 64). One may not now see the scenario bring all this about, but prophecy does tell us of great earthquakes and phenomena occurring in those days. The topography of the land could change overnight. Interesting indeed is the news report recently released. On the Fox News Network, on January 3 2003, it was announced that an ice burg the size of Texas and Colorado combined, is threatening to break loose (not for about 7,000 years, however). It would raise the level of the world’s oceans 16 feet! In light of the events prophesied for the end times, that kind of thing could happen sooner, and many times over. Note Isaiah 43:19, in context. The statement in Jeremiah 51:13 could also indicate an expansion of Iraq’s territory, as she may invade other nations and conquer them. If she had conquered Kuwait, and then Saudi Arabia, as she planned, she would have gained control of 63% of the world’s oil resources and supply. World economists claim that whoever controls that much of the world’s oil supply, controls the world. In light of events in Indonesia in the end of 2004, now, in the early part of 2005, we must consider the reality of Tsunamis, and what potential effects such an event could have on Iraq.
17. When Iraq’s trouble comes, she will come against Israel. But, the Lord will intervene, and Iraq will not be able to stand against Him Jeremiah 50:4 5)
18. Her fall will be so tremendous that all the nations shall hear it, and feel the effects (Jeremiah 50:46; Revelation 18:15-19)
19. Israel’s sin is blasphemy against "the Holy One of Israel," by interpretation, their Messiah (Jeremiah 51:5). She went into Idolatry, therefore the judgment of Babylon came upon her. She will be cleansed and forgiven (Jeremiah 51:10). Israel shall be totally restored, forgiven and exalted (Jeremiah 50:17-20). This is interesting, in light of Matthew 12:32 "And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man (Ed.note—Israel did this at Calvary), "it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost (Ed. Note—Israel did this, ultimately, in Acts 3:19 – 26, note 4), "it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come." Rightly divided, dispensationally, these passages fit together perfectly. There was no forgiveness in the Fifth Dispensation (in the time of Christ on earth), as there is no forgiveness for Israel, nationally, in this age (the Sixth Dispensation.) However, in the one to come, the Seventh, the millennial kingdom, she will be cleansed and forgiven.
20. Israel is to break off any alliance, or agreements with Iraq, before the judgment falls (Jeremiah 51:6,45; Isaiah 48:20; Revelation 18:4). As the flock would follow the males, so Israel is to lead the way of escape from Babylon (Jeremiah 50:8)
21. Iraq will go beyond the point of any return, and judgment will fall (Jeremiah 51:8,9)
22. At some point, there will be an uprising within Iraq, a power struggle. It will be rumored in one year, and occur in another one (Jeremiah 51:46)
23. No matter how strong Iraq becomes, she will fall (Jeremiah 51:53; Isaiah 47:1,5, 7; Revelation 18:7).
24. Her destruction shall be cause of great rejoicing by God’s people (Revelation 18:20).
25. The Blood of God’s servants will, in the destruction of Iraq and all that pertains to her, beginning from Babel, be avenged (Revelation 3:9; 19:2).

These twenty-five facts are based on the position that modem day Iraq is the successor to all that began in Babel, in Genesis 11, and the recipient of the prophecies directed toward Babylon, as pertains to the latter days.

With the developing democracy in Iraq, Bible believers must take advantage of increasing freedom, to get the gospel to them, and to neighboring countries.

The above prophecies declare coming judgment on that land, for its opposition to Israel. However, individual Arabs and middle Easterners are candidates for salvation. We must get the Gospel to them.

(Your comments on this article would be welcome.)

[1] The document was originally created during the early days of the war in Iraq. This current early 2012 revised document is changed only concerning grammatical matters. The premise and doctrinal content is unaltered.

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