The Fate of Modern Day Arabs or Muslims in the Middle East
With the rise is radical Islamic terrorism in recent years many are asking the question if any of this is found in Bible prophecy. How do the Muslim people and the modern day Arab nations fit into last day events? According to the flagship journal of the Seventh-day Adventist church, the Advent Review, not much, if any at all. And this is because the Ellen G. White Estate issued a statement that Ellen White only mentioned the Muslim religion once in her extensive writings as given below.
“The Saviour has said, ‘He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.’ He says again, ‘And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.’
“Mohammedanism has its converts in many lands, and its advocates deny the divinity of Christ. Shall this faith be propagated, and the advocates of truth fail to manifest intense zeal to overthrow the error, and teach men of the pre-existence of the only Saviour of the world?
“O how we need men who will search and believe the word of God, who will present Jesus to the world in his divine and human nature, declaring with power and in demonstration of the Spirit, that ‘there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.’ O how we need believers who will now present Christ in life and character, who will hold him up before the world as the brightness of the Father’s glory, proclaiming that God is love!” – The Home Missionary, September 1892, paragraph 4
It is unfortunate that most Seventh-day Adventists will take this to mean that the Bible has nothing else to say about Islam in prophecy. Has any ever considered for a moment that Ellen White may have not been shown all the Bible says about the Muslim peoples? Perhaps God would rise up another prophet in the spirit and power of Elijah just as Sister White predicted (Testimonies to Ministers, p. 475) and that this prophet would reveal quite a bit more about the role of the Arab nations, especially through the prophesyings of the prophets Zechariah and Zephaniah. Come let us look at the evidences for ourselves and give heed to the admonition . . .
“Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
“Abraham’s early teachings had not been without effect upon Ishmael, but the influence of his wives resulted in establishing idolatry in his family. Separated from his father, and embittered by the strife and contention of a home destitute of the love and fear of God, Ishmael was driven to choose the wild, marauding life of the desert chief, “his hand” “against every man, and every man’s hand against him.” Genesis 16:12. In his latter days he repented of his evil ways and returned to his father’s God, but the stamp of character given to his posterity remained. The powerful nation descended from him were a turbulent, heathen people, who were ever an annoyance and affliction to the descendants of Isaac.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 174
Here we see that the descendants of Ishmael and the 12 princes he begat (modern day Arabs) were to be a continual annoyance and in conflict with the descendants of Isaac which includes the modern day Jews who come from the tribe of Judah. Let’s look at some scriptures which show that the descendants of the “four horns” who scattered Israel of old will have an important part to play in final last day events.
Anciently the four horns of Zechariah 1:18-19 are represented by Assyria and Babylon
“Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand….And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:” – 2 Chronicles 36:17, 20
“And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor [by] the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes:” – 2 Kings 18:11
“The ten tribes (the Kingdom of Israel) were by ancient Assyria dispersed throughout the cities of the Medes, and assimilated by the Gentiles of that day, but it was not until years later that the two tribes (the Kingdom of Judah) were carried into Babylon, remaining there until the expiration of the seventy years of Jeremiah’s prophecy, then returning to their homeland.” – Tract No. 14, p. 21
The modern descendents of Assyria and Babylon are the Arab (Islamic) nations of today geographically located in the present day countries of Iraq, Syria, Iran, Jordan, and elsewhere. They all formally had a pagan religion until around 700 A.D. when Mohamed came along and converted them from polytheism to monotheism.
In Zechariah 1:20. 21 we see two classes of Gentiles.
“Here the same powers which scattered Judah and Israel are again seen, not as horns, but as carpenters; not to scatter God’s people, but to build for them, and to cast out the horns (powers) of the Gentiles [heathens (nonbelievers) incl. the Jews backed by America] — those who rule the land. Plainly, then, on one hand the nations which do not rule Palestine [the Arabs] are to arise as “horns” against those who rule it [the Jews backed by America], and on the other hand they are to rise as carpenters for the people of God. Thus will “the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Lu. 21:24.” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 11, p. 11
“And they [the church] shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away [from the promised land] captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24), the time that the Gentiles go out of Jerusalem and the Israelites go in.
The occupation of the Promised Land by the Gentiles today was typified by yesterday’s Gentile occupation of it. And when ancient Israel returned from Egypt to the land of promise the times of the Gentiles in those days were fulfilled. Likewise now when antitypical Israel, the 144,000 guileless servants of God, are sealed and taken to Mt. Zion, there to stand with the Lamb, the “times of the Gentiles” in these days will be fulfilled.” – Tract No. 5, p. 111
How will the 4 carpenters be taken out of the promised land after they drive the Jews out?
(Note: All of Zephaniah Chapter 2 is talking about the great war during the time when antitypical Assyria falls [modern day Assyria is the Protestant nations lead by America])
Zephaniah chapter 2 verses 8-12 refers to the modern day Arab nations who will be famished and slain by the sword of the Lord. Moab and Ammon are terms for Arab descendents.
“I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached my people, and magnified [themselves] against their border. Therefore [as] I live, saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon [modern Arabs] as Gomorrah, [even] the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people [ ] shall possess them. This shall they have for their pride, because they have reproached and magnified [themselves] against the people of the LORD of hosts. The LORD [will be] terrible unto them: for he will famish all the gods of the earth; and [men] shall worship him, every one from his place, [even] all the isles of the heathen. Ye Ethiopians also, ye [shall be] slain by my sword.” – Zephaniah 2:8-12
“For in this mountain shall the hand of the LORD rest, and Moab shall be trodden down under him, even as straw is trodden down for the dunghill. And he shall spread forth his hands in the midst of them, as he that swimmeth spreadeth forth [his hands] to swim: and he shall bring down their pride together with the spoils of their hands. And the fortress of the high fort of thy walls shall he bring down, lay low, [and] bring to the ground, [even] to the dust.” – Isaiah 25:10-12
“And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth. And it shall come to pass in that day, [that] a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.” – Zachariah 14:12-13
Because the Ammonites and the Moabites refused to grant God’s ancient people assistance and safe conduct through the lands of Ammon and Moab during their exodus from Egypt to the promised land, they in consequence brought upon themselves the sore judgment foretold in the following scripture which predict that all modern day peace treaties between the Palestinians and the nation of Israel will ultimately fail.
“An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of the Lord for ever: because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lord thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lord thy God loved thee. Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever . . .” – Deuteronomy 23:3-6.
“I have heard the reproach of Moab, and the revilings of the children of Ammon, whereby they have reproached My people, and magnified themselves against their border.” – Zephaniah 2:8
Not only the unbelieving Jews, but also the unbelieving Arabs who resist the meek, the 144,000, are to be swept away from the land.
“Therefore as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles, and saltpits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of My people shall spoil them, and the remnant of My people shall possess them.” – Zephaniah 2:9
While Moab and Ammon become as Sodom and Gomorrah, go out of existence, the captivity of God’s people is turned away. They become an independent nation and possess all the wealth of the people round about…..
“…The summary of this chapter is this: The hated Jews of today are not to be the admired Jews of tomorrow. The means which the Jews now pursue to gain admission to Palestine are not the means that would establish them there for ever even if they should succeed in getting there. The only Jews and Arabs that may remain in the land will be those who seek the Lord, the God of Moses.” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 22, p. 26-8
Isa. 25:8-10 “To make these great events possible, not only the ones who at that time rule the land, but Moab, too, we see, shall be trodden down. And who could Moab be if not the Arabs who now lay heavy claim to the land of Palestine?” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 5, p. 4
We see that although the Arab nations will be punished, however, some individuals (a remnant) will be saved from Moab.
“As the warring nations besiege the city, and rifle the houses, also ravish the women, they are by no means righteous nations, but since not all the inhabitants go into captivity, and since all are not cut off from the city, it must be that the wicked are taken away and the righteous left in to join the house of Judah.” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 1, No. 19, p. 4
Let us look at the earlier parts of Zephaniah chapter 2
“Now as to what I think about the Palestine situation itself: I think the Jews need to have a place to go to, but I do not think God is leading them. If God drove the Jews from His land because of their wickedness, because He no longer could tolerate them, then it is certain that He is not leading them back to it now while they are of the same mind and just as hostile against His only Son as they were two thousand years ago. The Jews, therefore, are taking the land on their own responsibility, and when the “times” of the Gentiles (Luke 21:24) end, the new State of Israel, as they call themselves, will then vacate the land much faster than they can now take, it, unless they take God into the land with them.
God is nevertheless to have a people there, but they will be the kind He tells of in the Scriptures, some of which I shall now read: (quotes Jer. 30:18-20; Jer. 31:6-10, 34; Hos. 3:4, 5)…” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 41, p. 11
Zephaniah 2:3, 6, 7 describe the saints who will inherit the promised land.
v. 3 “Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger. v.6 And the sea coast shall be dwellings [and] cottages for shepherds, and folds for flocks. v.7 And the coast shall be for the remnant of the house of Judah; they shall feed thereupon: in the houses of Ashkelon shall they lie down in the evening: for the LORD their God shall visit them, and turn away their captivity.”
What happens to the Jews who occupy Palestine today?.
“But, you say, is there no prophecy concerning what the Jews are doing today in Palestine? Of course there must be a prophecy. Let me read it to you:
Zeph. 2:1-3 — “Gather yourselves together, yea, gather together, O nation not desired; before the decree bring forth, before the day pass as the chaff, before the fierce anger of the Lord come upon you, before the day of the Lord’s anger come upon you. Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought His judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord’s anger.”
These verses of Scripture, you note, are to meet fulfillment just before the “day pass as the chaff,” before the fierce anger of the Lord breaks upon the nation not desired. And while this undesired nation is gathering together, then it is that all the meek of the earth, those who have borne the Lord’s message “before the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (the church), are counselled to still seek meekness. There are, therefore, two peoples brought to view in these verses — the nation not desired and the meek of the earth.
Now in view of the fact that there is but one such undesired nation, the Jewish, and none other, that is hated by all nations, this scripture cannot possibly apply to another people. Also the fact that now while we are broadcasting the message of the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the day before the day of the Lord’s anger, the undesired Jews world over are gathering together in Palestine — I say in view of all these things now contemporaneously taking place, the truth of the Scriptures boldly stand out, showing that the anger of the Lord is to fall upon the Jews unless they reform, and not they, but “the meek of the earth” are to inherit the land. And so according to Scripture, Jew and Arab alike are to go out of the Promised Land, and the meek of the earth to march into it.
How are they to get there, and who is to open the way? — The answer to these questions we shall find in—
Zech. 14:4, 5 — “And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.”
The Lord Himself, you see, is to open the way for the returning of His people.
Isa. 11:11, 12, 16 — “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth…. And there shall be an highway for the remnant of His people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” – Timely Greetings, Vol. 2 No. 41, pp. 12-14
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