Punishment in Store for the West
(Signs of the Time - December 2002)
During the study of latter-day prophecies, Bible students tend to focus on divine judgments associated with the Gogian confederacy (Ezek. 38 and 39). They have also expounded at length on the associated terrible humiliation of Israel which will lead them to repentance and recognition of their Messiah.
In doing so, they have tended to pass over the indications of divine judgments on the western nations. These nations are no less deserving of the judgments of God as elements within them encourage greed and wickedness on a scale not seen since the last days of the Roman Empire. This month’s article will review some of the Scriptures that speak of the punishments and calamities that are predicted for these nations, especially as they relate to the present-day positioning in the last days.
The
West in the East
The terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, in New York City, thrust the
United States and the UK toward greater involvement in the Middle East. To
date, these nations have occupied Afghanistan, and the U.S. has troops in
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Israel, Jordan and other Persian gulf countries.
It is interesting that this situation closely resembles what was predicted by Bro. John Thomas. Bro. Thomas predicted that the northern powers would possess Iran and Iraq and gain access to Asia through the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb (the strait joining the Red Sea to the Arabian and Indian oceans). This would provide a “powerful motive for the merchants of Tarshish and its young lions to take possession of all the coast from the Gulf of Persia (Iran) to the Straits and thence to Suez by which the lion-power will not only become the Sheba and Dedan, but also the Edom, Moab and Ammon (Jordan) of the latter days…” (Elpis Israel pages 435 and 436). Bro. Thomas then brings us to the point of this article: “Thus, the prophecies concerning those countries in their latter-day developments have regard to the power to which they then belong, and which, I have no doubt, will be the British; which, together with the Autocrat’s (Russia), though henceforth always rival dominions, will endure until both powers be broken up by the Ancient of Days.”
Destruction of lion and bear
Isaiah 63 is a vision of the multitudinous Christ, coming from Edom and
Bozrah, with garments speckled with the blood of those who have been trodden
down in his anger and trampled in his fury. Whose blood might this be?
Edom and Bozrah are both in modern Jordan where there is currently a small
number of U.S. troops. When the northern powers occupy the land of Israel,
as prophecy indicates, it may be presumed this “lion” presence will
significantly increase. We are left with the scenario of Christ and the
saints on the way to rescuing what is left of the children of Abraham, first
dispatching the western armies that occupy the route from Sinai to Israel.
For good reason, Christadelphians have always associated the northern invaders with the bear and the opposing forces with the lion. Scripture adds the close association of King David and his glorious Son, the Lord Jesus, who will sit on the throne of David. “Of the increase of [his] government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” (Isa. 9:6, 7). Is it a coincidence that before he sat upon that throne, David first destroyed the lion then the bear (I Sam. 17:34, 35)?
Destruction by the east wind
More ominous prophecies concerning the western powers are found in Psalm 48:
1-7 and Ezekiel 27: 25-26. Specific reference is made to the destruction of
the ships of Tarshish. It would appear that their naval capabilities are
destroyed.
The ability of Britain, the United States and their partners to maintain their power is dependent on their unchallenged naval superiority. Currently, the U.S. has deployed the fifth fleet in the Middle East. The fifth fleet helps to ensure peace and stability and protects America’s vital interests in a 7.5 million square mile region. Its usual configuration includes a carrier battle group, amphibious ready group, and other ships and aircraft with about 15,000 people serving afloat and 1,000 support personnel ashore. Whether launching combat aircraft from a carrier, landing 2,000 marines ashore, firing cruise missiles at targets hundreds of miles away, or completing a myriad of other military and humanitarian missions, it remains the world’s premier naval force and America’s force of choice.
Scripture does not specifically identify the east wind that destroys the latter-day ships of Tarshish. However, the destruction of the fifth fleet would significantly shift the balance of power in the region.
The
vision of Daniel
Connected to these prophecies are the words of Daniel 11:40, 41.
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon.
The United States is quickly placing troops in countries to the east and south of Iraq. These will probably be added to by the United Kingdom and her partners. This will clearly put them in the position of the king of the south. Could the impending attack on Iraq be the “push” mentioned in the prophecy? Note the response. It doesn’t have to be immediate. It could come when the Russian-led European confederacy is ready to push back, and consider how that push is described. It is a whirlwind. The same figure used in the destruction of the ships of Tarshish! And consider the countries that escape. All of them are in present-day Jordan where perhaps the lion-powers will be heavily entrenched to be destroyed by the power that comes from Edom and from Bozrah with his garments dyed red with blood.
We have considered a few of the passages that portend serious judgments on the West, as related to Israel. May we be reminded of our allegiance and pray that we may be part of the multitudinous bride of Christ spoken of in Isaiah 63.
Thomas Tottleben and Jim Robinson