Iraq In Prophecy: Lesson 2

A. The Just War Doctrine . . . President Bush (US News and World Report).

1. Launch a war for a just cause.

2. Competent authority.

3. Comparative justice.

4. Right intention.

5. Last report.

6. Probability of success.

7. Proportional projected results.

8. Right spirit.

B. I learned there is tremendous power in prayer.

1. TRBC prayed all day on the day we invaded Kuwait.

2. Church attendance rose across the nation.

3. President Bush called for a Day of Prayer, and God blessed the United States.

4. Our prayer requests:

a. For the success of U.S. military.

b. That the Iraqi people not suffer.

c. For converts among the Iraqi people.

d. That terrorism will be held in check.

e. For the revitalization of American “resolve” against dictators and tyrants. The greatest deterrent against evil is a prepared military.

f. Peace quickly.

g. That God be glorified.

h. That America would have spiritual revival.

C. I learned that events in the Middle East are a prelude to the “End Times.”

1. The war against Iraq is not Armageddon.

2. Saddam Hussein would like to control the world and hold us hostage.

3. Iraq and surrounding Arabic nations have become wealthy by oil.

4. The Babylon in the book of Revelation is not the Roman Catholic Church, but is the nation of Iraq and the Muslim world.

5. That the Bible can be interpreted literally when trying to understand prophecy.

6. There is deep hatred by the Arabs against the Jews and those who protect the Jews.

7. The pieces of the puzzle are on the table.

8. The Jews and the Holy Land are the center for world tension.

D. Is the hostility with Iraq a sign of Christ’s coming?

1. No one can predict the exact time (Matthew 24:36).

2. The gathering storm – events that are to happen immediately after Christ’s return are already falling into place before He returns.

a. Israel’s return to the land.

b. Apostate church.

c. Animosity towards Israel.

d. International worldwide governance.

3. The church will be raptured out before the antichrist rules the world from Babylon.

E. Babylon (Iraq) in the Tribulation.

1. Antichrist will arrange for the governments of the world to sign a protective agreement with Israel.

2. The Temple will be rebuilt on the original site in Jerusalem.

F. The destruction of Babylon (Iraq).

1. Internal. “Habitation of demons and the cage of unclean sprits” (Rev. 18:2, ELT). “According to her works” (Rev. 18:6). “Her plague came in

one day, death and mourning and famines; and she should be utterly burned with fire” (Rev. 18:8).

2. External. Destroyed by the beast.

3. The nations and businessmen grieve Babylon’s judgment (Rev. 17:9-15).

4. The mass of people. “The waters which thou saweth – are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues” (Rev. 17:15). The description

ends with tongues.

G. Commercial Babylon turns on Ecclesiastical Babylon and destroys her (Rev. 17:16).

1. The apostate church loses her influence.

2. God used the extremity of man to carry out His purpose (Rev. 17:17).

3. Hatred of Israel will produce an alliance of Russia, North Africa (Egypt) and the Middle East to attack Israel. (The battle of Gog and Magog)

(Ezek. 38:1-21).

4. Because of their defeat commercial Babylon turns on ecclesiastical Babylon (Rev. 17:17-18).

5. Nations are drawn against Israel by demon influence (Rev. 16:14).

6. A series of earthquakes destroy most of the world’s cities (Rev. 16:17-21).

7. Commercial Babylon is destroyed in one hour (Rev. 18:10, 16-21).

8. The destruction is similar to Sodom and Gomorrah (Isa. 13:19).

9. Merchants mourn over Babylon (Rev. 18:11, 15), because their source (oil) of luxury living is no longer available (items of sophistication

disappear).

10. Euphrates River is dried up (Rev. 16:12). The symbolic barrier between the East with West. The armies of the East join other world powers in

attacking Israel.

11. The actual battle of Armageddon.

a. Jerusalem is taken (Zech. 14:2).

b. Antichrist startled by sign of the Son of Man in Heaven (Matt. 24:30), and retreats to Megiddo.

c. When the feet of Jesus touch the Mount of Olives, it will split, creating a river (Zech. 14:4).

d. The attackers will be slain (Rev. 19:21).

e. Antichrist and the False Prophet will be cast to Hell (Gehenna) (Rev. 19:20).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.