LCG: Iran, Nuclear Weapons, War, & Israel
Hiroshima After the Atomic Bomb Was Detonated
LCG had the following in its latest announcements:
Israel, America, Iran and the Bomb: New intelligence suggests that Iran could have a nuclear bomb in a year or less. Because of this, U.S. policy toward Israel and Iran recently shifted. Israel’s Defense Minister noted that “the mind-set in Washington was ‘different two years ago,’ and that the US position vis-à-vis Tehran’s nuclear agenda today mirrors the one held in Jerusalem.” Further, “the Iranian threat is ‘militant and nuclear and only the naive still believe it is peaceful… [the US] completely understands this now.’” In a recent CBS interview, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta was asked how far the U.S. might go to prevent Iran from forging a nuclear bomb. Secretary Panetta’s response was, “we will take whatever steps necessary to stop it.” However, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, General Martin Dempsey, added a sober note, “My biggest worry is they [Iran] will miscalculate our resolve… Any miscalculation could mean that we are drawn into conflict [along with Israel], and that would be a tragedy for the region and the world” (Jerusalem Post, December 21, 2011). Jesus warned of “wars and rumors of wars” around the globe prior to His return (Matthew 24:6). The Apostle John also warned of major atrocities during this time (Revelation 6:3-4). The ways of man ultimately lead to death and destruction, while the way of God leads to truth and life (Matthew 7:13-14). One day soon, the world will finally experience the peace and safety that we all dream about—but only after man exhausts all his options!
The press in Israel reported:
Haaretz – 8 January 2012
Iran to Start Enrichment at Underground Site This Month
Voice of America – 8 Jan 2012
The situation in the Middle East is complex and tense. Iran wants to project enough military power (including nuclear weapons) to persuade the rest of the Islamic world that they should support Iran in its goals.
And what are those goals?
Well, according to a video released in Iran earlier this year (which I watched) it wants to take over Jerusalem, and prepare the way for an Islamic leader, known as the Imam Mahdi to rise up (this is the subject of a March 28, 2011 post, see Iran’s Ahmadinejad to Conquer Jerusalem?). Amongst others leaders, this video has clips of Iran’s President Ahmadinejad as part of it and suggests that he is fulfilling certain aspects of Islamic prophecy. I also saw Ahmadinejad on television a few years ago explaining that the goal of the Iranian revolution was to prepare the way for the arrival of the Imam Mahdi. He also expects to make this happen before he leaves office in 2013–hence 2012 may be interesting from an Iran-Israel perspective. A regional war is certainly possible.
The final pan-national Islamic leader, whether Shi’ite or Sunni Muslim (Iran wants a Shi’ite, but I suspect it is more likely to be a Sunni), seems to be the one that the Bible considers to be the final King of the South (Daniel 11:40)–but that will not end well (Daniel 11:40-43).
With the unrest in Syria, the Arab Spring, and Palestinian statehood being looked at, it may not be a coincidence that Iran wants to have atomic bombs sometime in 2012, as attacking Israel would fulfill some of its stated goals.
Since Iran, however, is NOT really south of Jerusalem, we in the Living Church of God do not believe that it will be the final King of the South of Bible prophecy (cf. Daniel 11:4-43). Because of that, I have tended to believe that Iran may somehow get “neutralized” before this final king rises up. And it may be that provoking some type of conflict with Israel (through an attack or through simply possessing nuclear bombs) may result in Israel hitting Iran hard enough militarily to greatly reduce Iran’s influence in the Islamic world. It also may take a regional war for the seven-year deal in Daniel 9:27 to come about.
Something like this would, thus, allow the other Islamic states (like Saudi Arabia and Egypt) to continue to exist and allow for the rising of the prophesied leader (revolution in Iran, is also another possibility).
We will watch and see (Mark 13:37).
Some articles (and books) of possibly related interest may include:
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
The Arab 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?
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2012, 2013, or 2014? Can the Great Tribulation begin today? What happens before the Great Tribulation in the “beginning of sorrows”? What is the seven-year deal? 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?
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, English, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (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 nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
End of Mayan Calendar 2012–Might 2012 Mean Something? Are there Mayan calendar predictions for change in 2012? Changes were centuries ago predicted by the Hopi Native Americans. Do Mayan/Hindu/Hopi/Buddhist/New Age/Nostradamus prophecies have any value here? Why might Satan have inspired this date? Does the Dresden codex show destruction of the earth by flood? Can the great tribulation start before 2012? How might Barack Obama be involved in 2012?
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