Middle East Crisis

We have commented here several times in recent months on the deteriorating situation in the Middle East and the danger of a conflagration there. During the month of May the position worsened, and after a series of minor incidents on the Syrian-Israeli border President Nasser of Egypt ordered full mobilization of his armed forces. Similar action was rapidly taken by other Arab states and by Israel. The dramatic suddenness with which the crisis blew up shocked many, but students of Middle East affairs have been aware for many years that sooner or later such a confrontation was inevitable. Since the Suez war in 1956 the big Powers have been feeding arms into the area and both Israel and the Arab states have been steadily building up their military forces. The inevitable has now occurred.

The pattern of events gives evidence of careful planning. Since the hostilities at Suez in 1956 a United Nations Emergency Force had been stationed in the Gaza strip to keep the peace on the border there. Early in May President~ Nasser requested U Thant, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, that this peace-keeping force be withdrawn. To the surprise and dismay of many observers U Thant complied immediately with President Nasser's request and the Emergency Force pulled out. It now became evident that any influence the United Nations might have in lowering Arab-Israel tension was dissipated. Whatever the outcome of the present confrontation in the Middle East, the apparent impotence of the United Nations in the early stages of the crisis has brought into question the whole future of that organization.

Following the withdrawal of the Emergency Force from the Gaza strip President Nasser proceeded to close the Strait of Tiran to prevent supplies reaching the Israeli port of Eilat at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba. This was a serious threat to Israel who at once denounced it as an act of war and warned that she would be unable to accept this position indefinitely. At the time of writing there is great diplomatic activity behind the scenes and the big Powers are seeking a way out of the crisis. Israel is awaiting the outcome of these efforts but has stated that she is not prepared to wait indefinitely. If the blockade is not lifted in reasonable time a military conflict seems inevitable. The intense gravity of the situation is obvious. What is less obvious, from the human standpoint, is how the problems of this troubled area can be resolved. It is an impasse which cries out for divine intervention. According to the sure word of prophecy this will come-but not yet.

In the debate in the House of Commons on 31st May the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary outlined the policy of the British Government on the closing of the Strait of Tiran which is the focal point of the crisis. During the course of his speech Mr. Wilson said, "One condition of a lasting peace must be the recognition that Israel has the right to live". This was reiterated by leaders of the Opposition. The Foreign Secretary expressed the fear that this crisis had been engineered not for local purposes within the Middle East but for the purpose of changing the global balance of power. This is seen to be the wider context of the crisis, and the danger that it may develop into an East-West conflict and start a third world war is fearfully possible.

Having surveyed the Middle East crisis from the human standpoint we now turn to the prophetic word to see if we can discern the pattern of God's purpose in present events there. The age in which we live is included in "the times of the Gentiles" (Luke 21.24). The times of the Gentiles is the period envisaged in the great image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream (Daniel 2).

The period ends with the destruction of the image by the stone "cut out of the mountain without hands" (Daniel ZAS) and this coincides with the coming of the Son of Man to set up His kingdom (Daniel 2A4; Revelation 11.15). The final seven years of the times of the Gentiles are marked out in the prophecy of the seventy weeks as of special significance (Daniel 9.27). They include the "great tribulation" (Matthew 24.21) which will be a period of 3 1/2 years of intense suffering for the Jewish people. The sufferings that have come upon Israel during the period of divine chastisement have been indescribably severe. But worse has yet to come. The future tribulation is described by our Lord as, "such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24.21). It is against this prophetic background that we must view the present State of Israel. Those who have returned to the land, and others who will follow, have gone back to suffer. The period of divine chastisement is not yet concluded.

According to our understanding of prophetic outlines the rapture of the Church must precede the final week of Daniel's prophecy. Therefore, whatever immediate sufferings may result from the present crisis in the Middle East they are not to be identified with the great tribulation of Matthew 24.21. That will be for Israel the darkest hour before the dawn of Millennial glory of which her prophets and psalmists sang. Then at long last, her chastisement over, repentant and purified, Israel will be at rest.

The survival of the Jew throughout centuries of persecution is striking confirmation of the accuracy of the word of prophecy. During the course of history dictators have threatened to exterminate the Jew and have themselves perished in the attempt. Adolf Hitler provides a notable modern example. It makes one tremble to hear of President Nasser whipping up Arab hatred and threatening to exterminate the 20-year-old State of Israel. History and God are against him.

[The foregoing was written June 1. On June 5 hostilities commenced, and ended in six days with complete victory for Israel. What now? It would be idle to speculate. What remains certain is that Middle East and world problems will never be resolved until the Coming of the Son of Man with power and great glory.]

unknown | Jul 1967
Comment By Torchlight