The modern country of Iraq was carved out of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I, and was first known as the "Kingdom
of Iraq" in 1921, and later, since the monarchy was overthrown in 1958, it has been called the Republic of Iraq.
After the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington D.C. Iraq became the focus of attention as a sponsor of terrorism. Saddam Hussein was a
despicable tyrant who slaughtered his own people, even using chemical weapons of mass destruction against them, and was believed to be developing
nuclear weapons. He ignored and defied multiple resolutions by the United Nations to allow inspectors to determine the extent of their nuclear
activities. In March of 2003 the United States and Great Britain invaded Iraq to overthrow Hussein and stop any development of weapons of mass
destruction. The weapons were never found, though there was evidence that they were shipped to Syria just before the invasion. Saddam Hussein was
eventually found, tried, and executed in 2006.
The United States rebuilt Iraq's infrastructure and helped them establish free elections and a form of democracy. Unfortunately, the
reforms could not stop the civil strife between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in the country, so a seemingly endless cycle of violence prevailed
and cost the lives of more than 4 thousand Americans in the process. Meanwhile, the sizeable Christian community in Iraq was persecuted and
nearly driven out of the country. The U.S. finally withdrew troops from the Iraq in 2011. Immediately after that there was an upsurge of
terrorist factions, foreshadowing an undesirable future for the nation.
The ancient ruins of Babylon, which were undergoing a massive renovation by Saddam Hussein, were not greatly affected by the war.
"Mystery Babylon" makes a major appearance in the Book of Revelation. The woman riding the Beast in Revelation 17 is symbolic of a one-world
religion that gives its power to the Antichrist regieme of the End Times. This "united religion" will be made possible by the absence of the
Church after the rapture has taken place, and an uneasy truce between religions including Islam.
Many Old Testament prophecies foretold the destruction of Babylon. Isaiah and Jeremiah said that it would be desolate and never
inhabited again (Isaiah 13:19-20; Jeremiah 50:39). The Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Medo-Persian empire, and in time the city did become
virtually uninhabited, but many Bible scholars think that the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy is still future, and it may apply to "Mystery
Babylon."
Current Events and Links
Prophetic Significance of Iraq
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See more recent articles: After Oct. 31, 2013
IRAQ POISED TO BE OIL GIANT & AN ECONOMIC POWER, REPORTS NEW YORK TIMES: Consistent with Bible prophecy?
June 4, 2012 - Joel C. Rosenberg - A current New York Times story focuses on the incredible growth potential of Iraq's economy. It
shows that Iraq's oil production has surged from less than 2 million barrels a day in 2003-2004 to nearly 2.5 million barrels a day, and next year
will reach nearly 3 million barrels of oil per day.
- In the next five years — by 2017 — Iraqi officials project they will be producing upwards of 10 million barrels of oil a day,
which if true would put Babylon on par with Saudi Arabia as one of the world’s oil giants.
- Source: Joel Rosenberg's Blog
-
Oil Output Soars as Iraq Retools, Easing Shaky Markets - New York Times
Prophetic Significance of Iraq
Iraq Rebuilding Its Military, Even As They Rebuild Babylon: Prophetic significance?
April 14, 2012 - Best-selling author Joel Rosenberg says that Bible prophecy experts have been watching for Iraq to: 1) begin
rebuilding its offensive military capability; 2) begin rebuilding its economy; 3) continue rebuilding the ancient city of Babylon into a
major center of commerce and tourism. He goes on to give evidence that all three of these vital activities are taking place there now.
- Bible prophecy indicates that in the End Times, the nation we know today as the Republic of Iraq — known variously in Scripture
as Babel, Babylon, Babylonia, Mesopotamia and Shinar — will emerge as the global center of wealth, power and terrible evil.
- Source: Joel Rosenberg's Blog
Blasts as Baghdad opens Arab summit on Syria peace plan
Mar. 29, 2012 - A UN-backed peace plan begins today in Baghdad. It is highly significant in two ways. It is the first international
summit to be hosted by Iran in decades, and if it is successful, the UN-Arab League plan would see a monitored end to the bloody internal
struggle in Syria.
- Source: BBC
Deadly explosions in series of attacks on Iraqi cities
Mar. 20, 2012 - Two car bombs killed at least 38 people in the predominantly Shia city of Kerbala
- The attacks come ahead of next week's Arab League summit to be held in the capital, Baghdad... It is widely thought that the attacks
are intended to undermine confidence in the government.
- Source: BBC
Records: Path was open for Saddam to get nukes
Mar. 18, ,2012 - U.S., UN and other international atomic energy officials have revealed that Saddam Hussein had paid North Korea
for missiles which were not delivered because of the war against Saddam that began in 2003. The deal was facilitated by the current government
of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
- {David} Kay, who led a CIA-Pentagon Iraq search team shortly after the U.S. toppled Saddam, said that an agreement between the Iraqis
and North Koreans had been reached and that some money changed hands.
Kay also said that if the missile agreement had been successful it would also have meant that a nuclear purchase might have been possible.
- Source: WND
Iraq attacks on Shia and police targets kill 50
Feb. 23, 2012 - Another wave of car bombs and other attacks have killed at least 56 and injured hundreds of others in
predominantly Shia areas. The violence is blamed on Vice-President Tariq al-Hashemi, a Sunni Muslim, who fled to the Kurdistan region
of the country the day after U.S. troops were withdrawn. On that day Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki had issued an arrest warrant for
Mr. Hashemi, accusing him of hiring death squads to kill Sunnis.
- Source: BBC
Older Articles about War with America: Before Jan. 1, 2012
Older Articles about Iraq: Before the war against Saddam Hussein
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