Qaddafi Hailed as “King of Kings”

Muammar al-Gaddafi

In a move that was not unexpected, Libya’s Muammar al-Gaddafi (spelling varies in the West) was made king of the African Union. But some of the following was unexpected:

Qaddafi will seek single state as African Union head

International Herald Tribune – Feb 3, 2009

DAKAR, Senegal: President Muammar el-Qaddafi of Libya was named chairman of the African Union on Monday, wresting control of a body he helped found and has long wanted to remake in his pan-African image.

His installation as the new head of the 53-member body resembled more of a coronation than a democratic transfer of power. Qaddafi was dressed in flowing gold robes and surrounded by traditional African leaders who hailed him as the “king of kings.”

The choice of Qaddafi was not a surprise — he was the leading candidate — but the prospect of his election to lead the African Union caused some unease among some of the group’s member nations, who were meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as well as among diplomats and analysts. Qaddafi, who has ruled Libya with an iron hand for decades, is a stark change from the succession of recent leaders from democratic countries like Tanzania, Ghana and Nigeria.

Qaddafi is an ardent supporter of a long-held dream of transforming Africa, a collection of post-colonial fragments divided by borders that were drawn arbitrarily by Western powers, into a vast, unified state that could play a powerful role in global affairs. He has repeatedly proposed immediate unity and the establishment of a single currency, army and passport for the entire continent…

While a few African leaders share his passion and his timetable for this pan-African vision, most prefer a go-slow approach, given the political realities that have emerged in the half-century since most of Africa became independent.

“In principle, we said the ultimate is the United States of Africa,” said Tanzania’s president, Jakaya Kikwete, the previous African Union chairman, according to the BBC. “How we proceed to that ultimate — there are building blocks.”

Qaddafi’s new role comes alongside a changing of the guard in Africa. A set of leaders once hailed as new visionaries or cursed as dictators have left the continent’s stage, and a jumbled array of new leaders have emerged. But few match the global or continental influence and heft of those who have departed. http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/02/03/africa/03africa.php

The Bible shows that one (Jesus) will be considered the “King of Kings” in the future:

14…our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15).

And, while there may be some unity in Africa, I would prefer that the term “king of kings” not be used for Muammar al-Gaddafi.

While it is possible that the head of the African Union may become what the Bible refers to as the King of the South, it seems a bit more likely at this stage that the co-president for the south of the Mediterranean Union would be a more likely match (see Deal Leading to Psalm 83?).

But either way, structures are getting in place to fulfill biblical prophecy.

Some 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?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?