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. Eventually Iraq will pose a
direct and existential threat to the State of Israel, particularly during the
Tribulation.
Since the fall of Saddam
Hussein and his regime in 2003, Iraq has not been a regional threat, much less
a danger to Israel. Some have assumed, therefore, that Iraq would no longer
play a major role in Middle Eastern or global affairs in the future.
But such a conclusion would be a mistake. As I wrote about in my first
non-fiction book, Epicenter,
those who read, understand and believe Bible prophecy 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.Interestingly, all three developments are currently underway.
