The Lord stated,  “All they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” And so, Osama bin Laden has perished, announced by president Obama several days ago.

Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, and a terrorist who's responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children…

For over two decades, bin Laden has been al Qaeda's leader and symbol, and has continued to plot attacks against our country and our friends and allies. The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation's effort to defeat al Qaeda.

Yet his death does not mark the end of our effort. There's no doubt that al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must -- and we will -- remain vigilant at home and abroad.

US officials claim bin Laden’s compound was an "active command and control centre" where bin Laden remained in strategic and operational control of the organization.

The  threat of al Qaeda continues according to CNN special reporter Ed Husain:

“Although the jubilation in New York and outside the White House is understandable, it risks sending the message of another premature "Mission Accomplished" moment. To put it simply, Osama bin Laden is dead, al Qaeda is not. Removing bin Laden is a colossal psychological blow to al Qaeda globally. But bin Laden was never the cause for al Qaeda: The issues that motivated him are still alive and well. Al Qaeda is a global brand, an idea, a movement. And just as he was recruited to a mind set of extremism, confrontation and violence, his death will serve as a global clarion call for another generation of jihadists.”

This would appear to be the case as this week a terrible suicide bombing took place in Pakistan, killing 80 and injuring 140. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

Meanwhile, the whole world is going through seismic changes as civil war and unrest sweeps several Islamic nations including Egypt, Libya, Syria, and Yemen.

The situation in the Middle East in the latter day has to be one of peace :

And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates… (Ezekiel 38:11)

Somehow these seismic changes will eventually lead to the peace and safety situation described in the Bible. It appears it will be a rocky road to get there.

Democracy to Carry the Day?

The ousting of Egypt’s Hosni Mubarrak lead to these comments by the President of the United State of America:

There are very few moments in our lives where we have the privilege to witness history taking place. This is one of those moments. This is one of those times. The people of Egypt have spoken their voices have been heard and Egypt will never be the same. By stepping down, President Mubarak responded to the Egyptian people’s hunger for change. But this is not the end of Egypt’s transition, it is the beginning. I’m sure there will be difficult days ahead and many questions remain unanswered. But I am confident  that the people of Egypt can find the answers, and do so peacefully, constructively and in the spirit of unity that has defined these last few weeks. For Egyptians have made it clear that nothing less than genuine democracy will carry the day. 

Obama was correct. This is just the beginning, and democracy will carry the day. However, the end result might not be what the West is wanting. The Wall Street Journal reported this week:

An expert on the Egyptian army said the ruling military council is committed to a democratic transition, and will back whoever the people elect. "I think the military council and the military people in general are thinking the same way I am: that if we put conditions on anybody, this is not democracy," said Mohammed Kadry Said, a retired army major general who is an analyst at the [Egyptian]Center for Political and Strategic Studies.

Into the void left by the ousting of Mubarak extremists elements are pouring in. The same article stated,

“A popular reformist leader in Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood said he will run for president, in a move that raises the possibility that Islamist politicians could dominate the country's presidency and its parliament.  The Muslim Brotherhood, though outlawed under the Mubarak regime, is the country's most powerful political organization, having built support throughout the country as a health and education charity.

Dr. Aboul Fotouh's decision to run for president worried moderate Egyptian Muslims and the country's Christian minority, who have anxiously watched the recent political rise of Islamists and have been shaken by months of violent sectarian clashes. Sectarian riots on Saturday killed 15 people and wounded several hundred in an impoverished Cairo suburb.

So, once again democracy proves to be an Achilles heel for the Western world. It was American insistence than unrestrictive “democracy” be  allowed in Yugoslavia following the death of the Communist dictator Tito. Civil war ensued and led to the dividing of the country into enthnic sections.  The terrorist group Hamas was democratically elected in Gaza and the Western world had to live with the decision made by the people.  Egypt may be on a similar track. Democracy, the frog-like demonic spirits described in the book of Revelation are the forces that will eventually bring all nations down into the Middle East:

For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. (Revelation 16:14)

These foolish teachings will bring the entire world, eventually to Jerusalem.

The precedent currently being set by the nations of the world in taking “police action” against Libya, Afghanistan, Iraq and others may well pave the way for the “pretense” to go down into the land of Israel and “settle” the issue.

Dividing the Land for Gain

Joel describes the invaders of Israel as parting the land:

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:2)

 The word “part” is the Hebrew word chalaq and means “to distribute, divide up, apportion”. This will be the goal of the nations. They will want to carve Israel up amongst themselves when they come down… and if the Palestinians think they will get anything they are hopelessly naive.

The latter day “king who does according to his will”  of Daniel 11:36, who is magnified above all, and honours “protectors god” or “church saints” (who we discussed recently in the Bible in the News)  is the Roman Catholic church. This is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians. His designs are described in Daniel 11:39

“he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.”

The Vatican is very interested in dividing the land for gain along with the military invaders.

Is it any surprise then, to find Catholic priests giving prayers over the dead bodies of Israel’s enemies such as Gadaffi’s son. The Vatican will continue to align itself with those who want the destruction of the state of Israel until it has achieved its goal of “dividing of the land” for gain. And for that, God will bring it into judgment.

Unity Government for Palestinians to Bring Peace?

In the mean time, the caretaker government of Egypt has just brokered a peace deal between the two rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas. They definitely have their sights set on Israel. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh made a public statement after Osama bin Laden’s death:

“We condemn the assassination and the killing of an Arab holy warrior. We ask God to offer him mercy with the true believers and the martyrs.”

During the ceremonies, a speech by Hamas’ Leader Ismail Haniyeh pointed out where the Hamas-Fatah policy is going:

Our first and true battle is with the Israeli enemy and not with the Palestinian factions who are among sons of one homeland.

The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to comment on the agreement during his visit to Britain:

"What happened today in Cairo is a tremendous blow to peace and a great victory for terrorism. Three days ago, terrorism was dealt a resounding defeat with the elimination of Bin Laden. Today in Cairo, it had a victory because when Abu Mazen, the head of the Palestinian Authority, embraces Hamas, an organization that two days ago condemned the American action against Bin Laden, praises Bin Laden to the gills as some kind of martyr for emulation… When he embraces this organization that is committed to Israel’s destruction, fires rockets on our city, just fired a rocket on a school bus, this is a tremendous setback for peace and a great advance for terror.

"What we hope will happen is that we can find peace. And the only way we can make peace is with our neighbors who want peace. Those who want to eliminate us and those who practice terror against us are not partners for peace."

While the America celebrates the death of Osama bin Laden, Israel is still expected to negotiate with those who praise bin Laden as a Martyr of the Islamic cause, and still determined to see Israel destroyed.

Israel desperately needs divine intervention as “all nations” are turning against it. True peace will only be achieved by Messiah in the time when “the LORD shall fights against those nations as when he fought in the day of battle” (Zech 12:3), and deliver Israel.

Today is Israel’s 63^rd birthday, a testimony to Bible prophecy – and the truth of God’s word. It is the nucleus of the coming Kingdom of God, and do what they will, mankind will never be able to destroy it – infact, it will destroy the kingdoms of the world, under the leadership of Jesus Christ, when as the Kingdom of God it will “break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever” (Daniel 2:44).

Join us next week for another edition of the Bible In the News.  This has been Jonathan Bowen.