Headlines, Redlines and Deadlines
HeadlinesThe significance of the “neutralization” of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force, is being hotly debated around the world. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in media interviews that this was: “an intelligence-based assessment” that drove the US decision to target Soleimani. “He was actively plotting in the region to take actions—a big action as he described it—that would have put dozens, if not hundreds, of American lives at risk. These were threats that were located in the region,” Pompeo added. “Last night was the time that we needed to strike to make sure that this imminent attack…was disrupted.”As you read the news, it is important to keep in mind how too often the headlines only show you the effect, completely ignoring the cause that was the reason. In the lead-up to this action, dozens of attacks directed by Iran and its proxies against American and Israeli interests culminated in a missile attack in Northern Iraq that killed an American contractor:Following is a timeline of recent events:
- Sunday December 29, 2019In retaliation for attacks, US air raids against Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia bases.
- Tuesday, December 31Iraqi paramilitary groups storm the US Embassy in Baghdad.
- Friday, January 3 At the direction of President Trump US kills Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp—Quds force. (Quds means “Jerusalem” in Arabic)
RedlinesThe storming of the US Embassy in Bagdad (Babylon, by the way), reminds many of the storming and hostage taking of the US Embassy in Tehran on November 4, 1979, forty years ago. This was the start of the current Shia Islamic State of Iran. The Shi’ite Mullahs’ plan is to destroy Israel and the West, rule the world, and usher in the return of their ‘messiah’, the 12th imam or Mahdi for an Islamic–only planet earth. Our former President Obama did not follow up on so-called redlines he set regarding Assad’s torture and gassing of his citizens in Iraq. His Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, delayed “13 hours” [I recommend the movie of the same name] which left 4 dead in Benghazi, Libya, including our Ambassador, Chris Stevens. By contrast, President Trump responded immediately to the attack on our embassy in Baghdad!DeadlinesThe international chess pieces are on the world board lining up for the prophetic fulfillment of God’s Word. There are MANY interpretations about the timing and the scope of these battles. I recommend the following verses for you to read and we will discuss these events in future blogs:Ezekiel 38, 39; Zechariah 14; Revelation 16:16; Revelation 20:8Psalm 83! As the nations mentioned in the above verses align with each other against Israel and her allies, we are seeing an ongoing war of attrition with the forces of Islam against Israel.As the House of Peace, how should we pray?
- First of all pray that our leaders, especially those in America and Israel, will have the wisdom of God regarding these matters.
- Pray for God’s protection of military personnel involved.
- Pray for protection of Israel.
- Pray for the salvation of souls.
- Pray, asking the Lord to direct your prayers according to His will.