Holy War and the Future of Mankind

It is important to understand that the problems in the Middle East are not just over political or military issues, but also over major and longstanding cultural, ideological and religious differences between East and West.

The Middle East is in the news every day. The steady stream of casualties from terrorist attacks takes its toll in more ways than deaths and injuries. People are increasingly becoming weary of the ongoing hostilities. Some question involvement of the U.S. and other western nations in Iraq. British Prime Minister Tony Blair has promised under pressure to step down in the face of mounting opposition to his support for U.S. occupation of Iraq.

The whole issue of Middle East involvement is sure to be a major political issue in the upcoming U.S. elections. Some advocate diplomatic dialogue to attempt peaceful solutions. Still others oppose the whole concept of waging war as a means to resolve problems between nations. These differences exist between nations as well as individual citizens, thus weakening the possibilities of any united action by the United Nations.

It is important to understand that the problems in the Middle East are not just over political or military issues, but also over major and longstanding cultural, ideological and religious differences between East and West. The Middle East is the birthplace and current focus of three major religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Of course, differences of belief and practice between these religions can be expected. But the widespread immorality and corruption in western nations greatly intensifies these rifts.

Many Muslims simply don't want to be infected with the problems of western culture. Nor do they want outside interference in matters pertaining to their religious beliefs, which also underlie their governmental structure and political policies. So the solution that extremist Muslims have adopted is jihad—"holy war."

Western nations are often referred to as "the Crusaders" in Islamic nations, hearkening back to the Crusades in the Middle Ages that pitted Christianity against Islam. Ironically, they understand the origin of the conflict better than many citizens and governmental leaders of western nations.

A "holy war" cannot be prevented by political negotiations, nor can the deeply-rooted underlying issues be resolved by military action. There is far more to this and other problems facing mankind than most people realize. Years ago, a major news magazine proclaimed that what is needed to solve mankind's problems is, "a strong hand from somewhere."

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all anticipate the coming of a savior or deliverer. The Bible identifies Jesus Christ as the Savior of mankind. While many Christians think of His role as Savior in spiritual terms as saving individuals from the penalty of sin, the Bible also teaches that He must return to earth to save mankind from annihilation.

Jesus Himself warned of widespread wars at the end of the age that, along with other problems, would escalate to the point that, "there will be great suffering unlike anything that has happened from the beginning of the world until now, or ever will happen" (Matthew 24:21For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
See All..., New English Translation). He went on to say that conditions would become so devastating that, "If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive…. "(Matthew 24:22And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
See All..., New International Version).

The book of Revelation offers explicit details of this suffering, including a great holy war at the end of the age. This holy war, unlike those that have taken place throughout history, will truly be "the war to end all wars." Revelation 19:11-16 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

See All... prophesies that Jesus Christ will return to earth as "King of kings and Lord of Lords" who, "judges fairly and wages a righteous war" (New Living Translation).

A major and necessary aspect of this "holy war" will be the removal of Satan the devil, the originator and perpetuator of the problems facing mankind today (John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
See All..., Revelation 20:1-3 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

See All...).

We are living in a perilous world where the survival of mankind is at risk. Thankfully, God has a plan to save mankind. This plan is revealed in the Bible and portrayed by seven annual Holy Days that foreshadow future events concluding in this great end time "holy war" resulting in universal peace and prosperity (Colossians 2:16-17 [16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

See All..., Micah 4:1-4 [1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
[2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
[4] But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.

See All...).

More information about the Middle East is now available free of charge in several articles of the current issue of our free magazine, The Good News. We also have a free booklet that extensively covers the Middle East today in light of Bible prophecy. Just request, download or even read online the free booklet, The Middle East in Bible Prophecy , and The Good News magazine .