April 3, 2003

SADDAM HUSSEIN

The wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.

Psalm 37:20

Saddam Hussein was an evil tyrant who caused the deaths of multitudes of his own people. He ruled by fear and terror. He also hated the United States and Israel.

I believe that many of the bad things Saddam Hussein did while he was in power will now be coming to the surface. I do not know of course of he had any chemical or biological weapons of mass destruction. Yet I do know that what Saddam and his wicked underlings did in secret over the past several decades, will soon be brought to light. For no one escapes the Lord's eyes of justice.

In addition, since this last war began, I have been reading many different Scripture passages in the Bible which concern the former empires of Babylon, Assyria, Persia, Mesopotamia, and what now make up what is present day Iraq.

There are almost as many Bible prophesies--some already fulfilled and some yet to be--concerning this region of the Middle East, as there are about Israel and the Jews.

I also find it both fascinating and relevant that what is now modern day Iraq, was the scene in times past for many Biblical events.

Abraham, for example, was called by God to be the father of a new spiritual race. He once lived in "Ur" (a town near the Euphrates river.)

Nimrod, the hunter and warrior, who was and is a type of the yet future "anti-Christ" roamed this land. And the infamous "Tower of Babel" , which was erected by men, but was later demolished by the Lord, was here, too.

David Berkowitz

April 4, 2003

IRAQ

I want to continue to write about the current war in Iraq and the fall of Saddam Hussein. For the events which are occurring these days in Iraq are certainly fascinating from a Biblical perspective, simply because of where this present war is being fought.

This is a land that has been steeped in wars since ancient times, and which holds so much prominence in both biblical history and in Bible eschatology.

It was in the land of what is now modern Iraq that Jonah the prophet took his message of repentance to the ancient city of Nineveh, which now sits in ruins on the eastern bank of the Tigris River, directly across from what is now the modern city of Mosul.

Nineveh, once the capital of the pagan Assyrian Empire, was called "the Robber City", because it would rob other nations to enrich itself (source: Thompson's Chain Reference Bible). The Ninevites would loot the treasuries of their victims. And frankly, this sounds so much like the philosophy of today's Saddam Hussein.

Furthermore, Bible greats such as Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Jeremiah and Queen Esther, all walked this land and did exploits for the Lord.

The Prophet Isaiah threatened mighty Babylon with ruin for her pride, and for trusting in her own riches and power. Babylon was enmeshed in its magic arts, enchantments, sorceries, and occult activities.

And many who live in the land of Iraq today are the descendents of what was once this Babylonian Empire. King Nebuchadnezzar ruled here. The Jews were held in bondage here. God worked miracles here. And the demonic spirits of darkness continually battled for the souls of men here; and they still do.

David Berkowitz

April 5, 2003

WAR IN IRAQ

For the past two days, and now again today, I have felt the need to write a few things about this current conflict; but from something of a Biblical perspective.

Even the Bible says there is a time and season for everything in our lives. There is a time to be born, and a time to die. There are times when we should speak, and times when we need to remain silent. Likewise, there is a time for peace, and there is a time for waging war. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8).

However I do not believe there is anything especially prophetic about this current war. Battles have been fought in this region of the world for thousands of years. I am sure there will be more wars to come that will cause blood to be spilled in Iraq's streets and deserts.

Yet I have, because of this present war, developed a special interest in searching the Scriptures for what the Bible can tell me about this land.

As I mentioned in my journal entries for the previous two days, this part of the world is exceedingly rich in Bible history. It will also play a major role in the fulfillment of yet future Bible prophesies concerning the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12-16).

In addition, in the Old Testament writings of Jeremiah the prophet, I have found chapters 50 and 51 absolutely fascinating in light of this present war.

Although these chapters concern the region that, in Jeremiah's day, was the city of Babylon, amazingly these two chapters almost describe what is taking place today in the modern city of Baghdad. And many of the people of today's Iraq are the descendents of the Babylonians!

David Berkowitz

April 6, 2003

WAR IN IRAQ

I am continuing to pray for my nation and for my leaders. I pray for the troops to be kept safe, and for this war to end soon.

I also pray for the people of Iraq. Their suffering and pain is more than anyone living in the United States can comprehend, including myself.

In the Middle East empires have come and gone. Nations have gone from life to ashes, and then into desert.

There have been so many wars that have been fought in the land which is now Iraq. And there will still be wars in this region intil Christ returns to earth.

And getting back to what I had been sharing in yesterday's journal, chapters 50 and 51 from the book of Jeremiah, are fascinating when one looks at this current war, and then compares it to the Biblical account of the attack on the ancient city of Babylon.

In these two chapters there are descriptions of idols being torn down and smashed into pieces.

The armies of the nations that were surrounding Babylon were firing their expertly aimed arrows at the city, causing Babylon's palaces with their palatial ornaments and gardens to be destroyed.

Babylon's expansive buildings were being burned and looted, and pulled apart brick by brick.

Her rulers were being thown into dismay and confusion. Her soldiers were trying to hide. They were surrounded with no place to flee. They were felled in the streets, and they were no match against the armies of the invading nations.

How similar this all sounds to what is now happening in Iraq. How history repeats itself!

David Berkowitz