Iraq in the Coming Decade

The new year and the new decade have barely begun, yet the world is already on high alert. As we wish each other a happy new year, #WWIII is trending on Twitter. The term “fireworks” suddenly carries a different connotation. The escalating tensions between the West and Iran have reached a new peak with the missile strike on Baghdad airport. In that strike, General Soleimani—one of Iran’s top political-military leaders and a highly popular figure among Shiites—was deliberately killed by America. There is widespread fear of a dramatic escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Not too long ago, the U.S. cooperated with the Iranian general in the fight against ISIS. But as we can see, the power dynamics in the region are complex and can change in an instant. It’s not just Shiite Iran extending its tentacles into Syria and Lebanon—Iraq is directly involved, not only because the attack occurred on Iraqi soil, but also because a key Iraqi leader (Muhandis) was killed. The unilateral action by America is perceived in Iraq as a blatant violation of their sovereignty.

Unpredictable

The Middle East conflict, inflamed anew by this strike in the fresh year, could have enormous consequences. Will this trigger a war in the Middle East? And could such a war even spiral into global conflict? How will Israel respond? What will happen to Iraq? Many observers hold their breath over the developments in this region. Don’t forget Tehran’s close friendship with Russia—or the massive oil interests at play. And remember, in the context of U.S. presidential reelection, a war in the Middle East could be politically advantageous—as Trump (perhaps inadvertently) admitted in 2011. These—and many more—factors will influence how events unfold. No one knows…

Time Is Running Out

Why do I, in this first blog of the new year, point to current events? Not to voice a political opinion—neither against America nor Iran, nor to state how the Netherlands should position itself. I am a simple observer who reads the news in the light of biblical prophecy. I’m aware that “the two days” of a thousand years since Christ’s ascension (AD 30) are nearing their end. And if the chronologies I’ve outlined elsewhere are accurate, then the year 6000 AH begins a few years later (AD 2034). Whatever one might say about these precise dates, they mark significant milestones. Which means, cautiously stated, that soon the final pieces will be placed on the prophetic chessboard.

Over the past century, we’ve seen the entire Old Testament pattern of nations literally restored to the map. After millennia, national states reappeared—Egypt, Syria, Ammon (Amman–Jordan), Lebanon, and of course Israel (1948) with Jerusalem as its capital (1967). With the reconstruction of the Jewish state came the long-standing enemy in the Gaza Strip: the Philistines—or, in other words, the Palestinians. All as foretold.

Two Missing Pieces

But two significant pieces are still missing from the board. First: a temple and accompanying sacrificial system in Jerusalem. That will certainly be restored in the end times (CLNT Matt.24:15). Everything is in place, and the rebuilding can happen quickly. I hope to return to that on another occasion.

What is missing secondly is the city of Babel, or if you prefer, Babylon. Particularly the absence of this city is striking, because the construction of a great city would surely require at least several years. I know that many therefore dismiss the literal restoration of this city and ‘spiritualize’ it. Even the majority of those who do take Biblical prophecy seriously, believe that the future role of Babel will be fulfilled by Rome. Elsewhere I have argued that this cannot possibly be the case. I believe that the first city with which the current eon began (Genesis 11) is also the final stronghold that will be spectacularly destroyed (Jer. 13:19). That has never yet happened in history and must therefore still take place.

A Jewish Babylon…

But if indeed the time of the end is approaching and Babel will play a prominent role in it, then it can hardly be otherwise than that this city will, within a not too long time, indeed be built. A great city on the river Euphrates—a river that, by the way, also plays an important role in the book of Revelation (9:14; 16:12). What is remarkable about the future Babylon in the land of Shinar is that it will be a Jewish city. It is not for nothing that she is portrayed as a harlot, as the counterpart of the bride, Israel. Think also of the vision in Zechariah 5:5–11 with “the woman in the ephah”, a representation of godless Israel, associated with the symbols of commerce (talent, ephah) and relocated to… yes, the land of Shinar, where a house is built for her. That is, to this day, unfulfilled prophecy. It would therefore not surprise me if in the coming years the Jewish state establishes a “branch” in Iraq—a world trade center where Jewish capital flourishes and also dominates the Middle East.

Apologies that I can point to no indication in current events to support these last statements. But I do not claim this as a political analyst, only on the basis of what I read in—and understand from—Biblical prophecy. What everyone can currently observe, however, is that the situation in and around Iraq is extraordinarily threatening and, from a political perspective, more unpredictable than ever. But precisely then, and because of that, we do well to heed the prophetic word, as to a lamp shining in a murky place, until the day dawns (2 Pet. 1:19)!

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