OVERVIEW

The Name.

The terms `Near, Middle and Far East originated in the 1850`s in the British India office. It was used to distinguish the Near East (Balkans and the Ottoman Empire) and the Far East (countries of eastern Asia).

The term (Middle East) was politically significant because the region was important to the British for defending their interests in India. Today the term `Middle East` is commonly used within the region itself.

The Two Plans.

Eden in the Middle East was the cradle of civilization, the place of God`s relationship with man. It also became Satan`s focus.

In this study we will track these two threads: God`s plan for man and Satan`s plan.

God desires a relationship with man and to receive man`s worship. This involves the restoration of man and the restoring of righteous rulership throughout God`s great Kingdom.

Satan, however, works to undermine God, controlling man through deception and to take worship from man that is due to God alone.

The Middle East is always the focal of God`s plans and Satan continually attempts to undermine them. Finally, today we have come full circle with Satan deceiving mankind to worship him. God, however, will deal with Satan and establish His righteous rulership.

Note that although God is supreme overall, He is not a Dictator. As God unfolds His purposes throughout the centuries, He exposes Satan`s unrighteous character and rulership which will lead to His eternal judgment in the Lake of Fire.

Let us now look at what God has told us concerning the Middle East.