The present conflict in the Middle East is not unexpected by Bible students. Old Testament prophecies have much to say about conflicts in the area, some of them still in the future. While there is not universal agreement on the sequence of fulfilment, the reliability of the predictions is assured by the accuracy of those already fulfilled.
We live in an imperfect world in which suffering is a fact of life and we cannot eradicate it. We are vulnerable and susceptible to suffering and death, unscrupulous humans even intentionally inflict suffering upon others. Suffering has many causes: war, poverty, disease, bereavement and depression are only a few, but some types of suffering can be beneficial - pain can alert us to the need for medical assistance, for example, and suffering is an important element of human development - the process we usually call growing up.
Five hundred years ago this year, a few brave men defied the authorities and published a translation of the New Testament into English. William Tyndale had just finished his translation from the Greek text but having been banned from publishing it in England, he had moved to Europe to publish it and continue his translation work.
The recent election of Donald Trump to a second term as president of the United States has shocked and dismayed many throughout the world. However, we Christadelphians are reminded of the principle we have mentioned before on this website: that God is in control of world events and will one day replace the kingdom of men with the kingdom of God. This is clear from numerous Bible passages, especially those in the book of Daniel.
Current hostilities should not surprise Bible believers, for the attitudes and actions of Israel’s hostile neighbours were foretold many years ago. If you compare a map showing Israel’s enemies in Psalm 83 with a modern map of the same area, you will see a remarkable correspondence with the nations seeking Israel’s hurt and destruction.
Psalm 83 begins
Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God. For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
Page 1 of 2