Learn what will happen during the tribulation period from beginning to end
Your comments and questions are always welcome. To send comments and questions please click here to go to our main page. January 27, 2003 As you know, a very important report from U.N. inspectors was presented at the U.N. today. The report was not encouraging and the U.S. is calling for the U.N. Security Council to do its job or risk becoming irrelevant. Of course, France, Germany and Russia were screaming for more time. Personally, I don't blame them because each have invested huge amounts of money and time in Iraq and risk substantial losses. I just hope that's all there is to it, but I have a sneaking suspicion that they are way in over their heads and are hiding something that they hope will never be revealed.
Let me clear one thing up, I'm not anti-France, Germany or Russia. I'm also not pro-tribulation American either, although I am proud to live in this country as a nation under God. And as long as it promotes that heart felt belief it will be bless of the Lord. Notice that I said Lord. I don't want anyone to make the mistake that this is a nation nor was it founded on the belief that there are multiple names for the same God. This nation was founded on the one and only God who sent His only Son Jesus to die for the sins of the world. Jesus is not a great man, a prophet or one of the Sons of God. He is the only Son of God. If Americas forefathers where alive today they would be turning over tables and casting out the majority of the Supreme Court judges for their incompetent interpretation of the Constitution. America is a great country today, but during the tribulation period they will completely turn their back on God. It will lead to their total and complete downfall (Revelation 14, 16-18).
Getting back to the inspections. I hope for peace if that's possible, but Iraq has blocked every available avenue to peace starting with hiding weapons to blocking private meetings with Iraqi scientists. Of course, that's just a few of the infractions they have committed. It's unfortunate, but necessary, they must be dealt with. I will go on record right now and say if Iraq is not dealt with, the U.S. as well of the world, will face unfathomable horrors the likes they have never seen in history. This is a bold statement to make but I sincerely believe it will happen. Don't get me wrong, I didn't say they won't be defeated in war, but they will inflict heavy casualties and it could reach U.S. cities.
We come to another very important point. Many in the prophetic world hold that Iraq is modern day Mystery Babylon. If you have been reading my articles very long you know that I believe it will turn out to be the U.S. The Bible predicts that this nation will be completely destroyed during the tribulation period. Whether it will be at the beginning, middle or end is not know.
What's my point? If Iraq truly is the predicted Mystery Babylon, then according to scripture, we are about to face the rapture very soon. But first, a seven-year peace agreement must be established by the antichrist and Israel. This agreement will mark the first day of a long seven-year tribulation period and must take place first (Daniel 9:27) before the attack on Mystery Babylon. If no agreement takes place and Iraq is attacked and destroyed (or placed under U.N. control) then they are not Mystery Babylon.
Of course, there is another side to the coin. Iraq, by some miracle from God, could actually fend off Allied Forces and go on to become a financial and military powerhouse as described in Revelation 17-18. They would then succeed in becoming a great nation only to be destroyed during the tribulation period.
Personally, I don't see this scenario playing out. Why? Because Biblical Mystery Babylon is said to be a financial and economic giant that will make the whole world rich. I don't see that becoming a reality for Iraq under any circumstance. They will also lord power over the future antichrist. Their power over the antichrist is why they will be destroyed not a breach of a treaty.
Finally, the rapture could take place at any moment and does not depend on the U.S./Iraqi conflict. Israel is the real focus as far as God is concerned. We should be paying more attention to the elections that are taking place tomorrow. But it is clear that this eventual war has taken center stage for the moment. Also, the U.N. Security Council seems to be in agreement that Iraq is in breach. The only holdup is what consequences should be taken and the severity.
Pastor Malone