IV - Daniel’s Chronology Applied to Current Events

When you look at the orange Shiite Core on the map I amended, you can see the king of the North, Iran and Iraq, as well as the king of the South, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and other African Muslim states. This picture aligns well with the political situation today. It also seems to suggest that Iraq will fall under Iranian domination.

Not only is the picture obvious, it is frightening. We have an Islamic fundamentalist, possibly possessing nuclear weapons, threatening genocide against Israel and destruction against the West. And this person not only believes that we are in the End Times, he thinks he can speed things up by his own destructive efforts.

And, let us follow the money. According to U.S. Energy Information Administration, in 2008 47.6% of all petroleum exports came from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states. Notice that the Shiite Core envelopes all of these regions, including the Saudi oil fields. Also, the Persian Gulf choke point, the Strait of Hormuz is easily under the control of Iran. Several times Iran has threatened to mine this narrow body of water. Recently, the government of Yemen stated that Iran was providing weapons to Yemenite rebels. Is Iran planning a flanking movement against Saudi Arabia?

It is not unimaginable that the megalomania of Iran would include controlling or manipulating the world supply of oil. This would be a great temptation to someone seeking great power over others. And, this would explain the entrance of the kings of the East in Revelation 16:12.

If you take the perspective that oil is the driving force for the gathering of all these various nations to the Middle East, the gathering called for in the Revelation 16:16 makes sense. Also, remember the Islamic hatred of Israel. During the Gulf War of 1991, the United States, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the countries fighting against Iraq. And yet Iraq was firing missiles at Israel, an uninvolved third party! You will notice that Saudi Arabia and Egypt are part of the Southern nations, while Iraq is part of the Northern, Shiite Core.

I have often wondered why these various nations will gather in Israel. Some have conjectured that a great oil discovery will be made in Israel that will lure these countries. I think that it will be about the oil of the Middle East, but the hatred of Israel will cause the armies to gather in Israel and cause unprecedented devastation in that land. (Jeremiah 30:6-7) The prophet Zechariah says that all the nations of the world will be gathered at Jerusalem. (Zechariah 12:3)

North and East of the Shiite Core are Russia and Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This seems to be the same group that is identified as Gog and Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39. Although I do not believe that the “Rosh” found in some translations of Ezekiel is all of Russia, obviously that portion of Russia in the Caucasus region could easily be included with this group. Again, Brother Walid Shoebat makes an excellent case for Turkey to be a major player in “Gog and Magog.” This group of countries will alarm the king of the North who, according to Daniel, will be camped in Israel.

To summarize Daniel 11:40-45: at the Time of the End the king of the South will attack the king of the North. The king of the North will invade the beautiful land (Israel) and Edom, Moab and Ammon (Jordan). Also Egypt will not escape. Then reports from the North and East (Gog and Magog?) will alarm the king of the North. He will pitch his tents at the Holy Mountain (Mount Zion) and will meet his end with no one to help him.

In looking at this scenario, please consider that Bible prophecy deals with the neighbors of the Nation of Israel. Also remember the Islamic hatred of Israel. Out of the hundreds of thousands of square miles of land in the Middle East, why do the Islamic nations want to take over the little sliver of land known as Israel? There is little or no natural wealth there. The reason is supernatural hatred provided by Satan.

Why will the king of the North make his camp outside of Jerusalem? Because he hates Israel, and he has his military force together in war mobilization. Why will the other nations go to Israel? They go because the king of the North is there. That is who they are after. The opportunity to trash Israel in the process is just a bonus.

Of course, I have no knowledge of the course of future history. I see an obvious delineation within the Muslim world. The Iranian president has made numerous statements that fit the scenario of Persia (Iran) reasserting their power. Perhaps they seek to re-establish the glory of the ancient Persian Empire. Daniel says the king of the North will achieve what his forefathers were unable to do. (Daniel 11:24)

If this comes to pass, the Shiite Core will control almost one-half of world oil production and will apparently use that leverage to make demands of the world. Threatened with economic devastation, the world will respond. Most heavily involved, however, will be the Muslim neighbors of Israel. The result of all this military movement will be the amassing of nations in Israel. What an excellent opportunity for the Lord to show Who is in control, and exercise the wrath He has promised for millennia.

The pieces of the puzzle are all there. This scenario will come to pass if it is the Lord’s will and if it is His timing. May His name be praised forever!