Saudi Arabian coalition ‘appears formidable’

Battle Involving the 4th Islamic Caliphate

Saudi Arabia announced a coalition of 34 Islamically-dominated nations in December 2015 (see ‘Saudi Arabia Announces 34-Nation Islamic Alliance Against Terrorism’ to Protect the ‘Islamic Nation’: Is the King of the South starting to form?) and followed up with a massive military exercise called ‘North Thunder’ in February 2016 (see World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South?).

What will happen in the future? Here are comments from a couple of observers:

Beyond North Thunder

The footage of troops from a score of Muslim countries – including Pakistan – marching shoulder to shoulder as a mark of solidarity in the concluding ceremony of the twelve-day North Thunder military drills was immensely impressive.

Held in the Saudi town of Hafar al-Batin, close to the Iraqi border, the military manoeuvres sent out the message that the world of Islam is willing as well as capable of putting down the scourge of terrorism on its own. No less significant was the fact that North Thunder was hosted by the regime that is the custodian of the Muslims’ holiest places – thus dispelling the widespread impression that the luxury-addicted Saudis are incapable of leading from the front. …

The military exercises were conducted upon the heels of the formation of a 34-nation alliance of Muslim countries against terrorism last December. The coalition was put together amid mounting criticism that the Sunni Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, were shying away from taking on the Islamic State (IS) or Daesh, the global face of Islamic militancy, leaving only Shia Iran and its allies as a bulwark against the march of the apocalyptic organisation. …

Daesh, however, has another overriding characteristic. It believes in the caliphate – its head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was proclaimed caliph in July 2014 – which by definition is a transnational office to which Muslims all over the world owe allegiance. To put in place an all-encompassing caliphate, Daesh is committed to pulling down the reigning absolute monarchies in the Gulf through what it calls jihad.

IS also has considerable support in several Arab countries, which can be a source of internal instability. With such credentials, sooner or later, IS was bound to arouse the deepest Saudi concerns, notwithstanding the sectarian affinity between the two.

The Gulf kingdoms were thus put on the horns of a dilemma: they could join hands with Iran in crushing IS or they could take on Tehran with the support of the IS. The kingdoms, with Saudi Arabia as their leader, resolved the dilemma by setting up a 34-nation military alliance against Daesh and other militant organisations. Iran, Iraq and Syria were not invited to be part of the alliance. http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/106665-Beyond-North-Thunder

Saudi Arabia made a splash when it announced the formation of a 34-country “Islamic” alliance against terrorism in December — and followed it up with a massive military exercise …

The mainly Sunni Muslim coalition — which includes regional power and NATO-member Turkey, the region’s most populous state in Egypt, and nuclear-armed Pakistan — appears formidable.

But Riyadh’s “Islamic Military Alliance” is missing Muslim powerhouses Indonesia and Iran, and questions remain about the makeup and motives of the coalition. http://www.juancole.com/2016/03/is-saudi-arabias-islamic-coalition-against-terrorism-a-paper-tiger.html

‘North Thunder’ was called the world’s largest military exercise and allegedly it had commitments of 350,000 troops according to at least one report (see World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South?).

Some are concerned that since Iran was apparently not invited that the coalition may oppose Iran and its ally Syria in the future.

Since North Thunder, the USA has continued to press the Arab nations to coalesce together militarily–as well as specifically Saudi Arabia.

The Bible foretells a time of with a massive army forming with ties to the Arabs.

The Bible prophesies that two end time kings, one known as the King of the North (a European power) and one known as the King of the South (an Arabic leader) will make a deceitful deal.

The Bible prophesies the formation of a confederation that sounds similar to what many Muslims want–except the Bible shows it will not succeed for long:

40 ‘When the time comes for the End, the king of the south will try conclusions with him; but the king of the north will come storming down on him with chariots, cavalry, and a large fleet. He will invade countries, overrun them and drive on. 41 He will invade the Land of Splendour, and many will fall; but Edom, Moab, and what remains of the sons of Ammon will escape him. 42 ‘He will reach out to attack countries: Egypt will not escape him. 43 The gold and silver treasures and all the valuables of Egypt will lie in his power. Libyans and Cushites will be at his feet: 44 but reports coming from the East and the north will worry him, and in great fury he will set out to bring ruin and complete destruction to many. (Daniel 11:40-44, New Jerusalem Bible).

This is a confederation of peoples/nations that occupy the Arabic, Nubian, and Turkish lands. It will have a massive army:

25 “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the South with a great army. And the king of the South shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall devise plans against him. 26 Yes, those who eat of the portion of his delicacies shall destroy him; his army shall be swept away, and many shall fall down slain. (Daniel 11:25-26)

Yet, notice that the above confederation does not end well, despite the great and mighty army the Arabic power has.

Notice also the following:

2 ‘Son of man, prophesy and say, “The Lord Yahweh says this: Howl: Disaster day! 3 For the day is near, the day of Yahweh is near; it will be a day dark with cloud, a time of doom for the nations. 4 “The sword will come on Egypt, and anguish on the country of Cush when the slaughtered fall in Egypt, when her riches are carried away and her foundations are destroyed. 5 Cush, Put and Lud, all Arabia, Cub and the children of the country of the covenant will fall by the sword with them. 6 “Yahweh says this: “The supports of Egypt will fall; the pride of her strength will crumble; they will fall by the sword from Migdol to Syene — declares the Lord Yahweh. 7 “They will be the most desolate of desolate countries, and its cities the most ruined of cities. 8 And they will know that I am Yahweh when I set fire to Egypt and all its supports are shattered. (Ezekiel 30:2-8, New Jerusalem Bible)

This is a confederation of peoples/nations that occupy the Arabic, Nubian/Cushite, Turkish lands, and may include some Persians. Notice again that that confederation does not end well.

Saudi Arabia has put together a temporary coalition that is consistent with several biblical prophecies. When it is time for these prophecies to be fulfilled, a great and massive ‘Islamic’ army will form.

While non-biblical sources do not seem to realize how it will end up, it will NOT end well for the Islamic confederation (though it may look like it does for a time before disaster comes).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

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 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. Another article related to Iran translated into the Spanish language is: Irán y líderes israelíes discuten las intenciones nucleares de Irán.
Iran in Prophecy Is Iran in Bible prophecy? If so, what does the Bible teach? What names, other than Persia, may be used to describe Iran? There is also a YouTube video titled Iran in Prophecy. Here is a related video Iran In Prophecy.
Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here is a link to a video titled: The Future King of the North.
When Will the Great Tribulation Begin? 2016, 2017, or 2018? 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 2016 o 2017? ¿Es el Tiempo de los Gentiles? You can also see the English language sermon video: The Great Tribulation from the Mount of Olives. A shorter video is: Can the Great Tribulation Start in 2016?
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.
The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots. They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent.