Parkstone

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Biblical Answer: All newspapers and television news broadcasts are dominated by the serious and deteriorating situation in the Middle East and rightly so, in view of the escalating situation and what may develop in days to come. Other important world issues are relegated to second place and yet there are news events in the world that would normally grab the headlines. Such issues include the meeting of the G8 nations in Russia, the tsunami in Indonesia and the growing evidence of climate change and global warming. Such issues are of world-wide importance and yet, whenever there is turmoil in the Middle East, particularly where crises between Israel and Arab nations are involved, the whole world concentrates on these affairs. Why is this the case? Why is the State of Israel and surrounding Arab nations so pivotal to world peace?

It is natural that we are shocked by these events and the many casualties on both sides, especially the death of civilians including many children. In all the wars and outbreaks of violence since the modern State of Israel was created in 1948, the nations of the world have tried to bring about lasting peace in the Middle East. All attempts, however well meaning, have failed and still the question is asked, ‘Can there ever be peace in the Middle East’?

The reassuring answer is a resounding ‘Yes’ but it will be God’s answer and not man’s. No alliance of nations, not even the United Nations, will ever be able to secure lasting peace. The details of God’s answer to the underlying conflict between Israel and Arab states, between Jews and Moslems can only be found in one place and that is in the pages of God’s Word, the Bible. An underlying theme throughout Old and New Testament is that God has a plan and a purpose with Israel and its enemies, and that God’s will is being worked out in the political events we see in the media. In Daniel 4 verse 17 we read that ‘God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of men’. Similarly, in Romans 13 verse 1 we read that ‘the authorities that exist have been established by God’.

The Bible clearly teaches that God will use the nations of men to bring about His purpose. It is also clear that the purpose of God is centred on the work of the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be no peace in the Middle East until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, to this earth, to establish the Kingdom of God, in righteousness and justice, and to bring the nations of the world into submission to God’s will. The hope of all Christians, from the first century onwards has been the return of Jesus to sit on David’s throne and rule the world from Jerusalem. We are told that we do not know the date of His coming ( Acts 1 verses 6 – 7 ) but His return is promised and should be eagerly expected ( Acts 1 verses 10 – 11. ) The Lord Jesus Christ gave us many pointers as to the conditions in the world immediately before His return, in what has been referred to as ‘The Olivet Prophecy’:

‘There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies shall be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory’. ( Luke 21 verses 25 – 27 )

Many Christians have interpreted these words as figurative language, for the turmoil in world governments and the inability of mankind to bring about a solution. However, the words may have a literal meaning as well, and perhaps we are seeing in climate change and other natural disasters, indications that the return of the Lord Jesus Christ may be near.

The Bible teaches that the Jews are witnesses to the existence of God and that the Jewish race will continue to exist, irrespective of attempts to remove them from the face of the earth. Is it not a miracle that the Jews have returned to the land promised to them from the time of Abraham? Other Old Testament nations have disappeared from human memory; where are the Hittites, the Moabites, the Philistines or the Perizzites? They have all vanished away but the Jews are still with us and the Old Testament prophecies are still to be fulfilled. One of the clearest prophecies concerning the return of the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of a time when the nation of Israel will be brought to the verge of defeat and will be surrounded by hostile armies; the prophecy is found in the prophecy of Zechariah:

‘Then the lord will go out and fight against those nations, as He fights in the day of battle. On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.’

In an earlier reference, the prophet mentions the final events before the Lord Jesus Christ returns. The nation of Israel today relies on the power of its armed forces and few Israelis pay any attention to the Biblical promises concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, their Messiah who they refused to recognise during His ministry upon earth. In Zechariah 12, we read at verse 10:

‘And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me ( the Lord Jesus Christ ) , the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a first born son.’

Israel today relies on the power of its armed forces and the support of its allies, notably the United States of America and the United Kingdom. However, the day is coming when they will turn to their God and their Messiah and the whole world will take notice. In the Olivet Prophecy, the Lord Jesus Christ addressed His followers of all ages in these words:

‘At that time they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near ‘. ( Luke 21 verses 27 – 28 )

We do not glory in the human suffering but we must be encouraged by the fact that God’s will and purpose are about to be fulfilled. Our prayer should always be ‘Amen, Come Lord Jesus’. ( Revelation 22 verse 20 )

If you have been interested in the answer to this question, of our times, please contact us by e-mail and you will be sent more information and booklets on the Christian answer to the question, ‘Can there ever be peace in the Middle East?’