THE `SUNNI AND SHI-ITE` STRUGGLE
Although the various nations gained independence from foreign powers, they still struggled with internal difficulties; the main one being - the Sunni and Shi-ite groups. Wherever they met there were clashes and wars.
The Iraq / Iran war in the `80`s lasted for 8 years without either side winning. This was basically a Sunni (Iraq) / Shi-ite (Iran) clash. Saddam Hussein (Sunni) the Prime minister of Iraq borrowed heavily to finance
THE LINE IN THE SAND
Over a period of centuries the Western area of the Roman Empire was overrun by various groups. The Eastern region, around the Middle East held power till the 15th century when the Turks took control. Their empire was called the Ottoman Empire after its founder.
It was not a World Ruler, but ruled over a large area of the Mediterranean. The Ottoman rulers claimed caliphate authority, meaning that they were an Islamic steward over territory under their leadership. Th
ROME - ISLAM
The fourth World Empire, the Roman Empire became one of the largest empires in world history. It was the most powerful economic, cultural, political and military force in the world of its time. It came to power in 27 BC and ruled for many centuries over the area of the Mediterranean Sea.
Its main religion was an Imperial cult, worship of the Emperor; however it gave room for many other religions even Judaism for a time. Christianity emerged as a supposed Jewish religious s
THE FIVE WORLD RULERS
After God judged mankind at Babel the people were scattered, North, South & East. They became different ethnic groups, nations speaking different languages according to Noah`s three sons. Shem`s sons settled in Arabia and to the east, Ham`s sons settled in Africa to the South and Japheth`s sons settled in Europe to the north.
Over time many nations developed around the Middle East. The most powerful nations however, were Assyria in the north and Egypt, in the
GOVERNMENT OF MAN.
In the beginning God gave man dominion over the earth but when Adam disobeyed God, he forfeited that to Satan who held sway over him. Judgment however, was in the hands of God and we see that when He punished Cain, and also the people in the time of Noah by the flood.
Then after the flood, God establishes human government – the government of man by man. The highest function of government is the judicial taking of life. All other governmental powers are implied in tha
OVERVIEW
God has given man the responsibility to govern, and man will be made accountable as to how he does that. As nations formed God made His own nation, Israel, to rule righteously over the other nations of the world. However Israel turned away from God and so God has given the Gentiles (other nations) opportunity to rule for a set time.
Over the centuries we have seen Gentile empires come and go. And amazingly God in His wisdom has revealed to us who the Gentile World Rulers w
THE AFTERMATH
This amazing victory by the Lord against the enemies of God`s people and his land of Israel has some far reaching consequences.
Israel
Israel repents and turns again to God. (Joel 2: 12 - 19) They begin their sacrifices after they have cleansed the land by burying the bodies from the Russian war.
` For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.` (Ez. 39: 12)
The Nations
The nations of the world
GOD`S JUDGMENT
The War
The Prophet Joel foretells of this invasion by Russia and many other countries, against Israel. As they come down towards Israel from the north, they go through many villages destroying all in their path. Eventually they come to the mountains of Israel looking to invade God`s land and plunder it. (Joel 2: 6 - 9)
Joel graphically describes all the modern implements of a mechanised army in action. He de
THE GREAT ARMY
God tells us that a great company of people will gather at the north of Israel preparing for war. God says to the Prince of Rosh -
` I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.` (Ez. 38: 4)
The Commander in Chief - Rosh, Russia (`with all y
GOD`S HOOKS
Russia has continued to show its `bear like` behavior, aggressively controlling any uprising in its Federation. This we have seen in Georgia, the Ukraine and the Crimea. The world news is quite aware of the `bear` and its motives -
In 2011 the media declared -
“With Russia`s $650 billion rearmament plan, the bear sharpens its teeth.”
The graying bear is getting a make-over. Russia`s military is launching it
THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
In 1991 there was an uprising in the U.S.S.R. The K.G.B. (Police) seized power.
However the Russian President (Boris Yeltsin) assumed command and denounced the coup. The elite troops changed sides and the course of history was changed.
The monolithic Soviet Bear had disintegrated and the President of Russia had taken control. The former Soviet peoples now separated into their different countries. Thi
THE INVASION AVERTED
Most of the Soviet Union`s coast lines were ice bound in winter and thus it looked longingly towards the countries of the Mediterranean Sea, especially Israel. There they would have `warm` water ports all year round for its shipping.
As far back as 1982 the Soviet Union had planned to invade Israel. This was exposed by the Israeli army.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the State of Israel reports, -
"During the operation "Peace for Galilee", as the
THE NORTHERN BEAR
Russia was once part of the great monolithic structure, the Soviet Union. The word `Soviet,` means council, and denotes a method of republican government. This huge Union, the USSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics came into being after the First World War (1917) when the revolutionaries forced the Tsar to abdicate.
It stretched from one sea (the Baltic, in the West) to the other, (the Bering sea in the East). It devoured country after country into one monolit
THE RUSSIAN WAR
God is dealing with nations, bringing them together so that their evil motives can be seen and judged.
The first nation on God`s agenda is Russia, its Federation and the three nations that join it. They have in modern times, continually sought to annihilate God`s nation of Israel. Thus they will be dealt with by God, exposed for their evil intent and then judged.
The world can only look on awe-struck.
So let`s look at -
- Russia from th
CONCLUSION
The colossal program of the majestic eternal purposes, which the Lord Jesus Christ brings into effect, surpasses anything else anywhere in the whole realm of knowledge.
Christ`s rulership in every realm is established, as well as the complete restoration and His rightful possession of all things. Every group have been carefully prepared and are an integral part of God`s overall eternal purposes -
In the 3rd heaven Jesus Christ`s Throne, (seat of power) ruling
Christ`s Rule in the New Heavens and New Earth.
When the New Jerusalem comes down to its appointed setting in the Universal realm, then the Lord Jesus Christ will be the supreme ruler in all of God`s great kingdom, from the third heaven, then down in the New Jerusalem and the earth. He then delivers the great kingdom, His rule to God the Father that God may be all in all.
`Then comes the end, when He (Christ Jesus)
Christ`s Rule through the Old Testament saints in the New Jerusalem.
After the Great White Throne judgment, God makes all things new - the New Heavens and New Earth. We know that Christ`s rule in the 3rd heaven with His Body, has been restored earlier, so next is His rule to be established in the universal realm. The government of this realm has been prepared in the general assembly awaiting its place in God`s great
Christ bringing all Rule under His Authority - in the Millennium. (1,000 years)
The Lord Jesus Christ, the supreme Ruler of all God`s great kingdom will put down all rule and authority in the tribulation and then on into the millennium. This period of time is for Israel to learn rulership under the Lord and to show that mankind is still rebellious even after Satan is locked up. His final release is to give the nations a final
Christ and His Body on His Throne.
Jesus Christ is visibly crowned.
No angel or man had ever been found worthy to rule with power and authority, seated on the throne, in the angelic realm. It is there that the glorified Son of God is declared worthy to hold this highest of positions within God`s great kingdom and bring the judgments upon the earth.
`Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to op
God sends Jesus for His Mature Body.
When Jesus Christ ascended to the Father`s right hand He was placed far above all, and made Head of the Body.
`God the Father....gave Him to be head over all things to the Church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.` (Eph. 1: 23)
Jesus Christ, Head of the Body.
Christ then sends His Holy Spirit to impart His divine nature within them. (2 Peter 1
Christ, the Worthy Sacrifice.
From Heaven to Earth He came,
Into the midst of rebellion, conflict and the devastation of this sin-ravaged world, stepped the Son of God. He came from the angelic realm where myriads and myriads of angelic beings bowed before Him and did His bidding. He was King of Heaven. The angels rejoiced at creation when He made all things `good,` and are amazed that He would humble Himsel
Lucifer, the Unworthy Ruler.
The third heaven is the first realm in God`s great kingdom to be populated. God created the angelic beings and they resided in the third heaven. The most beautiful and powerful angel was Lucifer. He was given authority as a king over a whole order of angels. He had a very special position near God. He was the anointed cherub, the son of the morning that led the worship in heaven.
Lucifer, ruler in the 3
God`s Great Kingdom - The 3 Realms.
God`s Throne.
God`s rule, is above all created realms. His throne, the symbol of His authority is established in the heaven of heavens, (ie the highest heaven). It is unchangeable and unalterable.
`The Lord`s throne is in heaven.` (Ps. 11: 4)
`Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom.` (Ps. 45: 6)
`O sin
OVERVIEW
`God.... purposed in Himself, that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, which are in heaven and which are on earth – in Him,...` (Eph. 1: 9 & 10)
Throughout God`s word we read how God gave different people understanding of His great eternal purposes. These are centred in Christ, and His rulership of God`s great kingdom.
We know that even though God made all things `good,` it was still vulnerable. Thus
CONCLUSION
The nations today consider that they control their own affairs, and that they are the sole arbiter of their destiny. There is, however, a higher authority controlling the world systems and shaping the nations according to His Divine Will.
No empire has ever been established on earth without the sanction & authority of God. In His word, He has revealed His Time Frame for the Gentiles ruling the world, with each World Ruler prophesied. Then in contemporary times we see tha
