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The war against Iraq must be causing many people to ask why it is happening. The governments of the coalition armies led by the United States of America and the United Kingdom never convinced the United Nations and many of their own countrymen of the necessity for their actions. But under the banner of a 'war on terrorism' the conflict in Iraq went ahead. And now there seems no obvious end to the war, which continues to claim the lives of soldiers and civilians in a relentless struggle to bring peace.

However, one thing that does become noticeable when the subject is seriously discussed in the various media, is that the spotlight invariably turns round to focus on Israel. The earlier Gulf war in 1991 began when Iraq invaded Kuwait and then attacked Israel with Scud missiles. Saddam Hussein had sworn to destroy the nation of Israel and the present conflict is partly to defend Israel because the United States, their ally and protector, believed that Saddam was ready to attack Israel again.

Another reason is that the coalition governments see Iraq, with its neighbours Syria and Iran, as countries supporting the training of terrorists such as those that destroyed the World Trade Centre in New York. Whether the attack on Iraq is a prelude to a wider armed conflict in the area remains to be seen. In the minds of many people, it is God’s chosen nation, the Jews, who are to blame and they believe that their occupation of the land of Israel is the cause of all the trouble in the Middle East.

Signs of the times
Prophecies in the Bible tell us why this is all happening. A number of the prophets of ancient Israel predicted that God’s people would be scattered throughout the world; but they also foretold that they would be brought back to dwell again in their own land [Jeremiah 30.10,11; Ezekiel 37.21-23].

The 19th Century saw the beginnings of the return of Jewish people to their land, which was at that time occupied by the Turks. This progressed at a faster rate when Palestine, as it was then called, was under British rule. Despite the fierce opposition of the Arab world, a further fulfilment of these prophecies has been witnessed by our generation, when they were declared a nation by the United Nations in 1948 and became the State of Israel.

Jesus himself told us that this restoration of the Jewish people would certainly happen, but he then coupled this event with his own return to the earth. [Luke 21.24-36]. The passage in Luke shows us that his second coming would be preceded by a time of trouble not seen before on this earth, and the war in Iraq, we believe, is just part of the build up to this distressing epoch that heralds Christ’s return.

Bible students should realise that God has said He will gather all nations to the land of Israel, for what can only be described as a final showdown, the battle of Armageddon [Psalm 2; Ezekiel 38; Joel 3.14,16; Revelation 16.14,16].

President Bush and Prime Minister Blair are now talking about having a ‘road map’ or a plan to sort out the Arab-Israeli problem. Without realising it, the nations of the world are being drawn to the Middle East to play out the last stages of God’s plan. God has had a road map printed out long ago for all to read - it is in the pages of the Bible but few have taken any notice or cared to read it.

Many events in the world are clear signs that Christ will soon return. With the 'war on terrorism' such a prominant feature in today's news, now is surely the time to take a renewed interest in the Bible to learn why these events are taking place in our world. The outcome will affect everyone's future.