Middle East Aflame

First it was Tunisia and a popular uprising that removed President Zine Ben Ali after 23 years of rule.  Egypt quickly followed suit, although an Egyptian uprising has far further-reaching implications in the Middle East and around the world than a political overthrow in tiny Tunisia (pop. 10 million).  Now Mubarak is gone (after 30 years) and Egypt is ruled by an interim military ruling council. What is staggering is how quickly power change can take place when fueled only by the will of the people. Once Egypt's grass-roots revolution was successful, I knew it was only a matter of time before similar protests broke out in virtually every Arab country in the region ... and beyond.  Libya is now embroiled in a bloody near-civil war that has already claimed the lives of thousands of citizens, the reason being that Qaddafi has never even made a pretense of political moderation.  He rules with an iron fist, and that fist is hammering (and bombing) the life out of thousands of his own citizens.  And the instability and chaos are far from over.  The leaders of Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Djibouti, Jordan, Morocco, Iran and Iraq are all fighting to hold off their own "premature" departures from power, and I predict that many or even most of these will also fall to the will of the people and the strength of a united revolution.  Now even Saudi Arabia is scrambling to launch economic reforms and incentives in what is perhaps a vain effort to plug the hole in the dam before riots and revolt break out in this largest and most influential Arab kingdom.  Even non-Arab countries such as Zimbabwe are catching the wave of "power-change by popular demand".  Trust me, this tidal wave of chaos and instability is far from over, and the leaders of the remaining countries in the region (Mauritania, Algeria, Syria, Qatar, UAE) are likely to find themselves fighting for their political (and literal) lives in a very short time.  Now the U.S. has moved warships through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean, ostensibly to re-locate closer to Libyan waters.  I find it interesting, however, that this move by the U.S. military follows the path of two Iranian warships that also passed through the Suez only days ago on their way to Syria.  The military and strategic "cards" are being put on the table as each side waits for the other to make the first move.

So what does all of the above mean for us today, here in America?  Certainly the eyes of many are on the tiny nation of Israel, who is now surrounded by Arab countries in various stages of instability.  While the popular uprisings in the region are not - at least for the moment - directed at Israel, it would not take long for the anger to turn towards the Jewish nation should the power structure in any of these countries shift to a more hard-line Muslim context.  President Ahmadinejad of Iran (arguably Israel's most vocal and dangerous enemy)  has publicly proclaimed that the unrest in the region is being inspired by the appearance of the 12th Imam (Shiite version of the Messiah) who will usher in a New Age of power and influence for Muslims, and who will ensure the destruction of America and Israel.  I can only imagine the high state of alert for the Israeli military right now, knowing that Iran's crazy leader may just try to use the chaos in the Middle East to attempt a strike against Israel.



I am working on a new sermon series for our Wednesday night service called "Faith in the Furnace: God's Sovereignty in the midst of crisis".

While we may not yet find ourselves in a state of crisis in America, the rising gas prices alone (predicted to hit $4.00 a gallon by this summer) will have a definitely negative impact on an already depressed economy.  I personally believe that God is preparing His church to rise up in strength and faith to face what may be the most difficult crisis America has faced in years - and perhaps ever.  I am not pretending to be a prophet here; I just see the signs of the times, and in the Global Village that we live in, we will not remain untouched by the most widespread unrest ever that is spreading like wildfire across North Africa and the Middle East.  At the very least, the moment that Israel is attacked or launches its own preemptive strike upon Iran or any other country that threatens its survival - America will find itself engaged in its third or fourth simultaneous military conflict (along with Iraq, Afghanistan, and possibly Libya).  


We have no reason to fear, however.  We serve the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords who reigns supremely over the nations.  And while times may get extremely hard for all of us in the coming days, His perfect love should cast all fear from our hearts.  He who has promised to provide for all our needs is still faithful, and our only response should be to watch, pray and listen for His voice.  Our finest hour as believers only comes when the night is darkest and hope seems to be lost.  What an exciting time to be alive!  Perhaps we are now watching the birth pains of the Last Days when all remaining Biblical prophecies will be fulfilled.  


Stay Strong!