Jordan vows to eradicate the Islamic State; what’s ahead for Jordan?

Jordan’s King Abdullah II

Jordan has taken steps against the Islamic State and vows to eradicate it:

February 6, 2015

Jordan says recent airstrikes against Islamic State targets are only the beginning of its retaliation for the gruesome murder of a Jordanian military pilot captured in Syria in December.

Jordanian warplanes launched dozens of airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq Thursday after King Abdullah vowed an “earth-shaking” response to the killing.

Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told CNN television late Thursday that Jordan will go after Islamic State militants “wherever they are, with everything we have.”

“We’re going to go after them and we will eradicate them,” said Judeh, who referred to Islamic State fighters as “cowards.”

King Abdullah visited the family of pilot Muath al-Kaseasbeh at their home Thursday. He said Jordan will continue the fight to defend its people and religion.

A slickly produced Islamic State video emerged this week, showing the pilot, locked in a cage, doused with gasoline and burned alive. http://www.voanews.com/content/jordan-vows-to-eradicate-islamic-state/2631466.html

Jordan had been negotiating a prisoner swap with the Islamic State, but demanded first to get proof that its captured pilot was alive. As soon as Jordan learned that the pilot had been burnt alive, it executed two death-row prisoners associated with the Islamic State. It then launched air attacks. Some have applauded Jordan’s prompt and direct approach and have contrasted it with delays, etc. by the Obama Administration.

Jordan, itself, maintains relatively good ties with the West. It is a country where a significant part of the population is Palestinian, which causes tensions within it at times.

Now, it would seem that the burning of the pilot galvanized the nation, and most there now back the moves against the Islamic State terrorists. I would also add that I agree with Jordan’s Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh that the terrorists are cowards. I would also add that they are also bullies.

As far as Jordan in prophecy goes, there are a couple of points of interest.

Parts of Jordan May Escape

One is that the Bible shows that there will be a confederation of nations in the Middle East and North Africa that will support the final King of the South. The Bible shows that this confederation will be defeated (Ezekiel 30:2-8), but that not all associated with it will be destroyed. Notice:

40 “At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. (Daniel 11:40-41)

Decades ago, the old Worldwide Church of God published the following:

Military forces out of Europe attempting to stabilize the volatile Middle East, will sweep into the “Glorious Land” — the Palestine region (Dan. 11:41, Revised Authorized Version). Many countries will be taken over.

Significantly those ancient lands described as “Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon” — comprising the area of the kingdom of Jordan today — will escape. The reason could be because of Jordan‘s deepening economic ties with Europe, as well as the decision of Jordan‘s King to remain wary of entanglements with his near neighbors. (Hogberg G. “HOLY WAR” to Sweep the Middle East? Plain Truth. March,1984)

While King Hussein died, the kings of Jordan have tended to be more oriented favorably towards the West, including Europe, than other nations in that region. While Jordan likely will originally be part of the coalition that becomes led by the final King of the South, it may be amongst the nations that betrays it and supports the Europeans (Daniel 11:25-26). I should also add that since Jordan appears to be a nation that will be part of the deal in Psalm 83, Jordan will turn against the USA and its Anglo-Saxon allies before the King of the South is destroyed.

The Place in the Wilderness Could be in Jordan

The other prophetic point to make about Jordan is that it may be the location where God will protect the Philadelphian remnant of the Christians during the time of the Great Tribulation and Day of the Lord.

David wrote, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). This may have a dual meaning. It may be referring to the tribulation and may also be referring to an interesting event in David’s life. David was hiding in the woods from Saul (1 Samuel 23:19), and “When Saul and his men went to seek him, they told David. Therefore he went down to the rock, and stayed in the wilderness of Maon…So David made haste to get away from Saul…so they called that place the Rock of Escape” (1 Samuel 23:25,26,28). The word translated ‘Rock’ is Sela and the word translated as ‘rock’ are derivatives of the same word. Thus there was a Sela of Escape for David.

Jesus taught, “And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath” (Matthew 24:20) which is consistent with Revelation 12:14 which clearly states that it is a place to go to, it is in the wilderness, and it is away from the presence of the serpent. The word translated as wilderness, is translated as desert in the NIV. This word is eremos, which Strong’s defines as lonesome, waste, desert, desolate, solitary, wilderness. Thus, it is not protection in our own houses (as some have erroneously suggested), nor is it protection in a large city. It is somewhere in the wilderness.

Isaiah 16:1-4, states:

1 Send the lamb to the ruler of the land,
From Sela to the wilderness,
To the mount of the daughter of Zion.
2 For it shall be as a wandering bird thrown out of the nest;
So shall be the daughters of Moab at the fords of the Arnon.

3 “Take counsel, execute judgment;
Make your shadow like the night in the middle of the day;
Hide the outcasts,
Do not betray him who escapes.
4 Let My outcasts dwell with you, O Moab;
Be a shelter to them from the face of the spoiler.
For the extortioner is at an end,
Devastation ceases,
The oppressors are consumed out of the land..

From these verses, we learn that Moab hides the outcasts, those who escape and then wander–this could be God’s people as Jesus told them “pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape” (Luke 21:36). The fact that they are called wanderers suggests that perhaps they do not start in Petra. It could refer to the fact that they are from many lands and/or that they have wandered to different places before coming to Jordan/Moab.

We have seen that this place has something to do with Moab, Sela, and the wilderness. We know that some of the area that once was Moab is modern Jordan (while there also used to be Edomites there, we in the COGs tend to feel they moved much further north). We also know that Sela means rock. It is called Petra in Greek, which also means rock. There is a deserted town in Jordan named Petra, which is the place called Sela in Isaiah. Petra is not a city itself, and is in a lonesome, rocky, desert wilderness that contains caves. It is possible that some other place on Earth also meets these criteria, but thus far Petra appears to be the leading candidate.

The scriptures that precede Isaiah 16 may also provide a clue. Notice:

10 Enter into the rock, and hide in the dust, From the terror of the Lord And the glory of His majesty. (Isaiah 2:10)

They will carry away to the Brook of the Willows. For the cry has gone all around the borders of Moab, Its wailing to Eglaim And its wailing to Beer Elim. For the waters of Dimon will be full of blood; Because I will bring more upon Dimon, Lions upon him who escapes from Moab, And on the remnant of the land (Isaiah 15:7-9).

It is possible that the term “Brook (Hebrew nachal which indicates a stream, flood, or similar) of Willows” (Hebrew arab’) may be a reference to the area near Petra called Wadi al-Arabah (which some claim means something like “valley of the desert” or perhaps “drainage area of willows”). Wadi al-Arabah is also called Wadi al Jayb.

As Wadi al-Arabah is about 180 kilometers long, from the southern shore of the Dead Sea to Al Aqabah in the south (hence it is in Jordan, though some of it may be in Israeli territory), it runs past Petra to the west and it is somewhat close enough to Petra to “carry away to.”

A Wadi is supposed to be some type of drainage area (or simply a low area or valley that drains when flooded).

A small one closest to Petra seems to be Wadi Musa (“valley of Moses”)–which is currently not wet–but on a map it looks like it would drain into Wadi al-Arabah if wet enough. But it is possible that since the name Wadi implied a wet area when it was given, that this “Brook of the Willows” includes the area of Petra. But this is uncertain–but again these verses in Isaiah 15, like those in Isaiah 16 do also indicate that perhaps some area in Jordan is involved.

Interestingly, Jeremiah wrote,

You who dwell in Moab, Leave the cities and dwell in the rock, And be like the dove which makes her nest in the sides of the cave’s mouth (Jeremiah 48:28).

For thus says the LORD: “Behold, one shall fly like an eagle, And spread his wings over Moab…” (Jeremiah 48:40).

It should also be noted that Petra is south, south-east of Jerusalem, which, asas other scriptures show (see details in the article There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra), is a possible direction for the place to be. Other than the aspect of caves (which does not mention the amount of caves), it should be noted, that many other areas in Jordan also are in the right direction and fit the description of the place–so it is possible that the Church may flee into Jordan and not stay in Petra, but somewhere else in Jordan or a neighboring area.

The idea that those going to the place will undergo final training is one that we in the Continuing Church of God embrace. Yet, we do not believe that the faithful are simply going to save their physical selves, but to be trained so that they can be more effective servants of God.

There is more prophecy that may apply to Jordan and the Arab world. But right now, Jordan is getting the world’s attention for actions it is taking against the cowardly Islamic State.

Several items of possibly related interest may include:

Jordan in Bible Prophecy What does the Bible show will happen to the inhabitants of Jordan? Will they escape and then be punished?
There is a Place of Safety for the Philadelphians. Why it May Be Petra This article discusses a biblical ‘place of safety’ and includes quotes from the Bible and Herbert W. Armstrong on this subject–thus, there is a biblically supported alternative to the rapture theory. There is also a video on the subject: Might Petra be the Place of Safety? Here is something related in the Spanish language: Hay un lugar de seguridad para los Filadelfinos. ¿Puede ser Petra?
This is PETRA! This is a 1962 Good News article by the late Dr. Hoeh.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2015, 2016, or 2017? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What happens in the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord? Is this the time of the Gentiles? When is the earliest that the Great Tribulation can begin? What is the Day of the Lord? Who are the 144,000? Here is a version of the article in the Spanish language: ¿Puede comenzar la Gran Tribulación en 2014 o 2015? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Obama Administration Pushing for an Islamic Empire? Because of the rise of groups such as the Islamic State, the Obama Administration and others are pushing for a coalition of Arab nations along with Turkey. Does this resemble the final King of the South of Bible prophecy? Is there an Islamic antichrist? Does the Bible teach that terrorism and the sword will affect the USA and some of its allies? What does the Bible teach in Ezekiel about a confederation involving Egypt? Will an Arabic confederation end in destruction for those who strongly support it? Are the 10 nations in the Arab coalition the ten kings of Revelation 17:12-13? Are the 10 nations including the USA and Turkey the ten nations of Revelation 17:12-13? Who is? Was the pushing of the Obama Administration to do this predicted by in 2009 in a writing by Dr. Thiel? What does the Bible show?
Iraq, the King of the South, Armageddon, and Prophecy What will happen to Iraq? Is it the prophesied Mystery Babylon? What is Armageddon and how does that have to do with Iraq? Here is a related video Iraq, Armageddon, & Prophecy.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo-Saxon (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo-Saxon nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first? Here is a link to the Spanish version of this article: Anglo-América & las Tribus Perdidas de Israel. Information is also in the YouTube sermons titled Where are the Ten Lost Tribes? Why does it matter? and British are the Covenant People. A short YouTube of prophetic interest may be Barack Obama and the State of the Apocalypse.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Edition for Second Obama Term This is a 160 page book for people truly interested in prophecies related to Barack Obama and the United States, including learning about many that have already been fulfilled (which the book documents in detail) and those that will be fulfilled in the future. It also has a chapter about a Republican choice. This book is available to order at www.barackobamaprophecy.com. The physical book can also be purchased at Amazon from the following link: Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States: Is Barack Obama Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic Catholic, Kenyan, and other America-Related Prophecies? What About Republican Leaders? Second Edition for Second Obama Term.
Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition. This electronic version is available for only US$2.99. And you do not need an actual Kindle device to read it. Why? Amazon will allow you to download it to almost any device: Please click HERE to download one of Amazon s Free Reader Apps. After you go to for your free Kindle reader and then go to Barack Obama, Prophecy, and the Destruction of the United States-Second Term-Amazon Kindle edition.