Considering the attitude that I have found to be prevalent in the forum, it might be counterproductive to start this thread with the title that I did, but that is unavoidable, because Biblical prophecy is unfolding in a manner, as never before. We have the advantage of being able to examine their significance and accuracy in the past, as well as being able to look ahead at those which unquestionably correlate to current world events.
I'm going to skip over the supernatural aspects of these, and simply outline those portions which I understand, and which should be able to be understood by anyone else. Briefly, the Books of Revelation, Daniel and elsewhere, describe a time, called the Tribulation, when the entire world is involved in a war against Israel. But, as it evolves, if unchecked, it would destroy not only Israel, but the entire world.
In a nutshell, the first war (Armegeddon) is composed of an Islamic and Russian force, of which 80% is destroyed by God. This is followed by Europe breaking a peace pact with Israel, launching an attack on Israel, but is distracted at the last moment, by news of a 200,000,000 man force coming from China. Curiously, there is no mention of anything that can be clearly understood as the USA being involved. It is at this time that Jesus returns, and establishes His Kingdom, in which war shall be no more.
Wether you are Christian or not, it should not too difficult to see such a era approaching, for it is at the door. It hasn't been many years ago, when the the idea Middle Eastern country playing such a significant role in the world stage was almost unthinkable. Yet, most should admit that such a scenario is highly likely.
A notable aspect of prophecy is that they usually are not dated in a fashion that would allow anyone to understand where they belong on the calendar. In the past, most prophecies were given in a relatively short time prior to their fulfillment, but we have had these prophecies for over 2500 years. Why is that? It it because that these are the most important prophecies that are Contained in the Bible regarding world events leading up to His return.
A prophecy from God is inevitable, the only question is when it shall be fulfilled? A good example is the story of Johah, which was instructed by God to carry a prophecy to Nineveh about it's destruction. However, this destruction was postphone due to their repentance...not cancelled. Had this scenario been purposed by some world intelligence department, instead of the Bible, it might have found a greater acceptance from the nonChristian population. Yet, it really does not require guidance from the Spirit to understand.
Since all Christians yearn for the return of Jesus, many are praying for the rapid fulfillment of this prophecy. If not for the hell that preceeds it, I would also. It is not for my sake that I don't join other Christians in this prayer, but for those who will be destroyed.
I do not intend to discuss the merits of this prophecy, faith or the Bible, because that is not my objective. But, this does not prevent anyone from gleaning anything that they can perceive as useful to forming their perspectives, whatever they may be. It is these perspectives that shall either speed or delay these events.
If the USA pulls out of the Middle East, it should be obvious that the unrest there will resolve itself, and someone shall step in to attempt to do so...i.e. Russia and Europe. Once this starts happening, time will not be adjustable, and the best that anyone can do, is to simply pray and wait.
Therefore, for those of us in the USA, whether Republican, Democrat or whatever, we must decide exactly what role we shall play, because we have our finger on the stopwatch. We can not stop time or the approaching situation. We can not make a peace in the Middle East, but we can effect how fast these things come to past.
Whether they realize it or not, American military are not fighting and dying just for the price of oil, or American interests, they are fighting for the world. This fighting is not going to result in a victory that some hope for, but what do you expect the result will be if "properly" administered?
I'm going to skip over the supernatural aspects of these, and simply outline those portions which I understand, and which should be able to be understood by anyone else. Briefly, the Books of Revelation, Daniel and elsewhere, describe a time, called the Tribulation, when the entire world is involved in a war against Israel. But, as it evolves, if unchecked, it would destroy not only Israel, but the entire world.
In a nutshell, the first war (Armegeddon) is composed of an Islamic and Russian force, of which 80% is destroyed by God. This is followed by Europe breaking a peace pact with Israel, launching an attack on Israel, but is distracted at the last moment, by news of a 200,000,000 man force coming from China. Curiously, there is no mention of anything that can be clearly understood as the USA being involved. It is at this time that Jesus returns, and establishes His Kingdom, in which war shall be no more.
Wether you are Christian or not, it should not too difficult to see such a era approaching, for it is at the door. It hasn't been many years ago, when the the idea Middle Eastern country playing such a significant role in the world stage was almost unthinkable. Yet, most should admit that such a scenario is highly likely.
A notable aspect of prophecy is that they usually are not dated in a fashion that would allow anyone to understand where they belong on the calendar. In the past, most prophecies were given in a relatively short time prior to their fulfillment, but we have had these prophecies for over 2500 years. Why is that? It it because that these are the most important prophecies that are Contained in the Bible regarding world events leading up to His return.
A prophecy from God is inevitable, the only question is when it shall be fulfilled? A good example is the story of Johah, which was instructed by God to carry a prophecy to Nineveh about it's destruction. However, this destruction was postphone due to their repentance...not cancelled. Had this scenario been purposed by some world intelligence department, instead of the Bible, it might have found a greater acceptance from the nonChristian population. Yet, it really does not require guidance from the Spirit to understand.
Since all Christians yearn for the return of Jesus, many are praying for the rapid fulfillment of this prophecy. If not for the hell that preceeds it, I would also. It is not for my sake that I don't join other Christians in this prayer, but for those who will be destroyed.
I do not intend to discuss the merits of this prophecy, faith or the Bible, because that is not my objective. But, this does not prevent anyone from gleaning anything that they can perceive as useful to forming their perspectives, whatever they may be. It is these perspectives that shall either speed or delay these events.
If the USA pulls out of the Middle East, it should be obvious that the unrest there will resolve itself, and someone shall step in to attempt to do so...i.e. Russia and Europe. Once this starts happening, time will not be adjustable, and the best that anyone can do, is to simply pray and wait.
Therefore, for those of us in the USA, whether Republican, Democrat or whatever, we must decide exactly what role we shall play, because we have our finger on the stopwatch. We can not stop time or the approaching situation. We can not make a peace in the Middle East, but we can effect how fast these things come to past.
Whether they realize it or not, American military are not fighting and dying just for the price of oil, or American interests, they are fighting for the world. This fighting is not going to result in a victory that some hope for, but what do you expect the result will be if "properly" administered?