by Michael G. Mickey
(5-15-08)

In Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins' 1999 book entitled "Are We Living in the End Times?", the following is written:

"As sure as there is a God in heaven who keeps His word, Babylon will live again as "the seat of Satan.""

And...

"Babylon will again become Satan's headquarters for a short time, serving as the governmental and commercial capital of the world during the first half of the Tribulation Period. Then, after the kings of the earth destroy religious Babylon near the middle of the Tribulation Period, Satan will move his religious headquarters from Rome to Babylon, setting the stage for the second three-and-one-half-year period, called "the Great Tribulation."

No matter how many times I read that, even right now, I struggle to see the above coming to pass. Nonetheless, because I have read and seen photographic evidence of Dubai's meteoric rise into a diamond of a city in the Middle East's desert lands seemingly overnight, I always keep what I've heard in mind and I recommend others do the same as it may make more sense to us down the line than it seems to right now. Consider the following photos of Dubai as evidence of how suddenly Middle East oil wealth, when properly utilized, can transform a landscape.

• Photo #1 - Dubai in the 1990s, near empty desert.
• Photo #2 - Dubai today.
• Photo #3 - Dubai skyline at night, continuing to grow at a phenomenal pace.
• Photo #4 - The Palm Jumeirah, a man-made island whose fronds offer beachfront lots for 4,000 villas and apartments, juts audaciously into the Persian Gulf. Dubbed the Eighth Wonder of the World, the development has doubled Dubai's 45-mile (72 kilometers) shoreline.

So, back to Tim Lahaye's theory.

Could ancient Babylon, modern Iraq, ever become a governmental and commercial giant in these last days and relatively quickly at that? Time will tell but Ria Novosti is reporting that an American millionaire "plans to revive a zoo and build an amusement park similar to Disneyland in the capital of war-torn Iraq, investing $500 million in the project." The Ria Novosti article states that some believe the project is U.S. propaganda alone, designed to "replace the gloomy reality with a Hollywood-style imaginary world" but who knows? If God has a plan for the land of Shinar in the prophetic scenario detailed in Bible prophecy, Babylon may begin rising soon. If it should happen, it will take most everyone by surprise.

Gog-Magog developments

In the 38th & 39th chapters of the book of Ezekiel, we're told a military invasion attempt will take place in the prophetic future against the nation of Israel. Those who will participate in this attack are as follows:

• Magog - Most agree this is a reference to Russia.
• Meshech - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia, but some say it refers to the Moscow area.
• Tubal - Most associate this with modern day Turkey, ancient Anatolia.
• Persia - modern Iran
• Ethiopia
• Libya
• Gomer - eastern Europe or Turkey
• Togarmah - southeastern Europe or Turkey

Recently, Russia settled of all Libya's debt in what a CNN article referred to as a "move to rebuild ties with a former Soviet ally that is now increasingly open to foreign investment." Not a week later, Libya, which has made a lot of progress in repairing its image in the eyes of the world in recent years, caused an uproar at the United Nations by likening conditions in the Gaza Strip to "Nazi concentration camps." Clearly, this diplomatic insult was an act of hostility toward the nation of Israel, demonstrating to us that Libya may be becoming emboldened by the friendship of the Russians. Something for us to keep in mind in light of Bible prophecy!

And then there is the relationship of Magog (modern Russia) and Persia (modern Iran). These two are up to no good as I think most everyone has to recognize is true by now. Just in case you didn't, however, a few weeks ago Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who was still president of Russia at the time, conveyed to Iran that continuity of the relationship being built between Tehran and Moscow would continue without interruption upon Dmitry Medvedev becoming Russia's president. True to his word, Putin, who is STILL running Russia in case you didn't know, is sticking by Russia's future Gog-Magog ally as it continues in its quest for nuclear weaponry.

And why are these things true? Bible prophecy, of course! Everything is proceeding exactly as outlined in the prophetic Word of God. And yet people question the validity of the Bible as God's inerrant Word? May God open their blinded eyes before it's too late!

The EU Beast

The revived Roman empire of Bible prophecy we commonly refer to as the European Union is continuing to gain steam as we near the return of Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the advent of the Antichrist to occur and become the world's final global dictator. Let's look at a few news stories demonstrative of that truth.

Recently, I commented on the formation of a Mediterranean Union taking place which will bring us closer to a global new world order. On that topic, far from being a signal that the European Union is going to stop devouring the earth as prophesied, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband is saying that French plans to create a Mediterranean Union could not replace the enlargement of the European Union. Of course not! The EU is on its way to becoming just what Bible prophecy tells us it will become one way or another!

Many people, as I have pointed out on numerous occasions, struggle to see today's European Union as the Beast government the Antichrist will someday wield power over because it is perceived that the EU is a military pussycat. What I always tell people of that mindset to bear in mind is that the European Union's parliament sits in Brussels, Belgium as do its foreign policy offices. NATO, the greatest military power in the world, is also headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. Coincidence? I think not.

The EU Observer is reporting that "Poland has opted to become a full member of the EU and NATO-linked military club, Eurocorps, in a move designed to spur on the creation of a significant European defence capability."

In the above we see that NATO and the EU have formed a little "military club" in Brussels. Coincidence? Again, I think not. It's prophetic posturing, readers!

And then we have an even more obvious demonstration that the rising Beast of Bible prophecy is preparing to live up to its military potential through a different EU Observer article which states that "Germany's foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, has indicated he would like to see a European army established."

By hook or by crook, what the prophet Daniel wrote thousands of years ago will come to pass! We can see it taking shape today!

Daniel 7:23: Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.

Until next time, keep looking up! Jesus Christ is Lord and He is coming soon!

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