Steps toward Armageddon
And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 21:28
No doubt you have heard Iran's president vowing to "wipe Israel of the map" and recently urging Muslims to "envision a world without the United States." In the article, Future Babylon, I told you how I believe that every nation's dependency on oil will one day draw them to the Middle East for war. Talk about preparing for the war of all wars, Armageddon, Iran no doubt will keep their appointment on the Day of the Lord. Please read the following excerpt from Joel Rosenberg's blog site:
What's more, Iranian TV is running a new anti-Semitic documentary film series entitled, "The Secret of Armageddon." Setting the stage for a coming apocalyptic war that will usher in the Islamic Messiah known as the Mahdi or the "Twelfth Imam," the series focuses on a series of Bible prophecies that inform Jewish and Christian End Times theology. While the presentation is grossly distorted, some facts do emerge. Iranian scholar Dr. Ismail Shafe'i Sarustani , for example, tells viewers that the word "Armageddon" is "originally a Hebrew word" and "is a real geographical region, situated south of Haifa," noting that "the place was shelled by Hizbullah during the 33-day [July 2006] war." Iranian historian Mohammad-Taqi Taqipour notes that "these [Evangelical Christians], along with the Jews, believe that the War of the End of Days will take place in the desert of Megiddo, in Palestine. They believe that Jesus will return, and that then there will be a millennium of happiness."
Speaking of how oil ties in with the Armageddon war, please read again from Mr. Rosenberg's blog site how the scenario of Israel bombing Iran's nuclear uranium enriching facilities (or nuclear bomb making facilities) would drive oil prices through the roof:
The U.S. does not want Israel to strike. After all, the repercussions of such a war with Iran would be global in nature. Israel would face tens of thousands of incoming missiles not just from Iran but likely from Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza and possibly the West Bank. Some of these missiles could be have chemical and/or biological warheads, even if the nuclear warheads in Iran are not yet ready. Ballistic missiles would also be likely fired from Iran at the oil fields in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States, at oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Straight of Hormuz, and at U.S. bases and forces in Iraq. Tens of thousands of suicide bomber cells could be activated in the region — especially in Iraq and Israel — and perhaps even in Western Europe and the U.S. and Canada. Iranian efforts to topple Jordan's King Abdullah II and/or Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in favor of radical Islamic regimes friendly to Tehran could also be set in motion. Oil prices could shoot from $140 a barrel to $300 a barrel or more. U.S. gas prices could spike to $7-$10 or more, with horrific domestic and global economic repercussions.
(This scenario was speaking on of the possibility of Israel striking Iran to put out their nuclear weapons program, not the Battle of Armageddon, but you can see how all the economies of the world are connected to this very region.)
Now, more than ever is the time to pray for the salvation of lost loved ones, taking each opportunity that we are presented with to witness to those we meet, and as always doing the work of the ministry that God has called you to. And, don't forget, to keep looking up!
