LCG: Protests in Middle East; Egypt Changing
Gamal Mubarak (http://brucesmideastsoundbites.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html)
In today’s World News & Prophecy, LCG reported:
Spreading Arab protests.
The “Tunisian wind” that toppled an authoritarian regime in Tunisia is spawning similar protests across the Arab world.
Thousands demonstrated in Yemen over corruption, lack of freedom, lack of jobs and authoritarian rule (telegraph.co.uk, January 23, 2011). In Egypt, protesters launched a “Day of Wrath” over similar grievances demanding an end to President Mubarak’s 30-year rule (telegraph.co.uk, January 23, 25 and 26, 2011). Egypt could be a barometer to watch as Egypt is the biggest Arab state (population 80 million) with the largest armed forces in the region. EU leaders urged Arab regimes on their southern fringe to “respect” the desires of their citizens for more freedom (euobserver.com, January 26, 2011).
Bible prophecies clearly indicate that “in the last days perilous times will come”–aggravated by pride, greed, and brutality (2 Timothy 3:1-4). These factors may contribute to the rise of a Muslim leader who will unite the fractious Arab world and as the “king of the South” move aggressively against western influence in the region (Daniel 11:40).
Here is a late development regarding Egypt:
CAIRO — Egypt’s embattled President Hosni Mubarak said early Saturday that he had asked his Cabinet to resign, and promised reforms in his first response to protesters who have mounted the biggest challenge ever to his 30-year rule.
But Mubarak also defended the crackdown by police on tens of thousands of demonstrators that drew harsh criticism from the Obama administration Friday and even a threat to reduce a $1.5 billion program of foreign aid if Egypt escalated the use of force.
A somber-looking Mubarak called anti-government protests “part of a bigger plot to shake the stability and destroy legitimacy” of the political system. http://www.aolnews.com/2011/01/28/egypt-deploys-military-to-stop-protests/?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%7C198010
I would add that some have said that part of the reason for the protests in Egypt is that many do not want Gamal Mubarak, son of the current president, to take over once his aging father is no longer president. Now, various analysts believe that “Egypt’s demonstrations are likely to make it virtually impossible for Gamal Mubarak, the president’s 47-year-old son, to succeed his father” (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/01/28/obama-administration-balance-reform-egypts-government/).
We in the Living Church of God suspect that the final King of the South could possibly come from Egypt. What role if any, Gamal Mubarak, may play is a question mark at this stage.
While Shi’ite Muslims tend to look for the Imam Mahdi, some Sunni Muslims are looking for a spiritual leader, sometimes called the Caliph, to rise up. Some think the crisis in the Middle East may be a factor:
“Radical extremists see the turmoil as their opportunity to institute the region-wide, anti-Western Muslim caliphate or union that they have dreamt of for centuries. Some analysts believe Morocco also could be at risk, as well as the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally in the war on terror that boasts the world’s largest oil reserves.”NewsMax – Jan 28, 2011 http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/Egypt-Explodes-Oil-Skyrocket/2011/01/28/id/384253
“If the will of the Arab Street rules in Egypt in the hours and days to come, we could see Egyptian authority as we know it topple. The Suez Canal could be endangered or restricted. A bedrock peace treaty with Israel will surely vanish. The border containment of Hamas terrorism in Gaza and Al Qaeda in the North Sinai might quickly end, setting off volcanic anti-Western actions initialized by Hamas, Iran, and Bin Laden contenders.If Mubarak in Egypt falls, Hussein in Jordan could be next. If Egypt and Jordan renounce their peace treaties with Israel and their allegiance to the West, war with Israel could be imminent. If the Arab Street in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Lebanon link up, the world could quite easily see the re-emergence of the decades-long move for a single Arab nation. What type of nation that would be, whether a resurrected Caliphate or an international democratic federation, is anyone’s guess.”
Whether he is called the Imam Mahdi or Caliph (or both), a Muslim leader is going to get power.
The reality is that this final King of the South is alive now and the protests in the Middle East may be a factor in his rising up. We will all have to watch and see.
Two articles 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?
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