Attack Against Saddam
--- How Soon?
We have all known for many months that the United States plans to attack
Iraq. On July 4th, President George W. Bush again reminded Americans that
Afghanistan was “only the beginning” of a long and arduous “war against
terror.”
For months, major news media have been speculating about an impending attack
against Iraq; how best to “get rid of Saddam Hussein.” Meanwhile, Saddam has
been making tentative gestures toward once again allowing UN arms inspectors
inside Iraq; has repeatedly said he is not building weapons of mass
destruction in an obvious attempt to deter such an attack.
On June 11th, Saddam reacted to reports that the US had been sending special
forces and CIA agents into northern Iraq in an attempt to recruit and train
anti-Saddam Kurds. Was the US hoping to create yet another “Northern
Alliance” so that a repeat of Afghanistan could be carried out in Iraq?
Obviously, Saddam believed the US personnel already on the ground must have
been making headway, for he dispatched many elite forces of his “Republican
Guard” to northern Iraq in early June, in an attempt to root out any US
intruders, and to intimidate the Kurdish population. A similar situation
exists in the southern part of Iraq, where large numbers of Iraqis would
like to see Saddam go.
Many months ago, I wrote that the US could not attack Iraq before June,
simply because our stores of laser-guided bombs, cruise missiles and other
sophisticated weapons had been seriously depleted in the Afghan war. If the
rumblings from many quarters are any indication, those stores have now been
replenished, and an attack against Iraq could be imminent. As I write, word
comes that Pentagon officials are busily “brainstorming” how such an attack
should be carried out; with what force level; where, when, and how. The
President said no “plan” has actually been presented to him, however. Is
this merely disinformation? Is it mere media hype?
It makes no sense, of course, to forewarn an enemy. That is, unless you wish
to create fear, confusion and disinformation in the enemy’s high command,
and give heart to those who wish to see him toppled.
High on the list of US tactics would be to prevent Saddam from launching
SCUDS from western Iraq against Israel in an attempt to drag Israel into the
conflict. He did this during the Gulf War, as you know. Only by a last-ditch
promise to immediately supply Israel with “Patriot” anti-missile batteries,
and to shift the massive US air campaign from the Republican Guard to SCUD
hunting in the western desert, did then President George H.W. Bush prevent
the Israeli Air Force from launching a devastating nuclear attack against
Baghdad.
Make no mistake about it. The specter of gassing Jews by exploding chemical
warheads in Tel Aviv neighborhoods, thus conjuring up memories of the
holocaust, will never be tolerated by the Israeli government. Israel has a
large and growing nuclear arsenal, and just recently sent another even more
serious and ominous message to its Islamic neighbors by launching a
satellite into orbit.
The launching of an Ofeq-5 satellite into orbit in space, with a
“Shavit-class” booster engine proved to the world that Israel now has ICBM
capability. And why not? Israel has seen steady progress by Syria and Iran
in acquiring IRBMS (Intermediate range ballistic missiles, capable of
hitting targets anywhere in Israel) and strongly suspects that Saddam
Hussein’s program of upgrading his “Sihab” SCUDS presents a major threat to
Israel. Therefore Israel has herself been working on producing rockets
capable of reaching the entire Middle east, and now, the world. Clearly,
Israel has not only been a member of the “nuclear club” for decades, but has
now acquired the means to deliver nuclear weapons half a world away in just
over half an hour. The specter of a nuclear exchange in the Middle East,
with several nations launching nuclear-tipped missiles at major population
centers is absolutely mind-boggling.
Unsubstantiated reports have alleged that the US has also sent Special
Forces into Jordan, no doubt because tiny Jordan could not contain large
columns of Iraqi tanks should Saddam turn his ground forces toward Israel in
a retaliatory attack. Jordan recently arrested several Al Qaida operatives,
and king Abdullah is friendly toward the US, and maintains a peace treaty
with Israel.
If and when you see more US carrier attack forces gathering in the region;
if and when more US forces are being deployed in neighboring countries or
aboard ships, then you may rest assured a US strike against Saddam is
definitely in the works.
And what then? Will Syria attack Israel? Will Iran jump into the war on the
side of its former enemy? Will Saudi Arabia deny the US use of the bases we
built with American money?
And, the big question: If the war does not meet with the same kind of
success it did in Afghanistan, and if massive loss of life occurs in Israel,
will Europe intervene?
Another intriguing question: Would the POPE become directly involved, by
going to Jerusalem in an attempt to halt the fighting?
Those who know and understand Bible prophecy would do well to WATCH
developments in the Middle East! But there is more involved than merely
“watching.” Christ said, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may
be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and
to stand before the Son of man” (Luke 21:36).
Christ was giving this warning to His own disciples! He left this warning
for His true church! It is only those who are truly converted; who are
praying always, never taking a hiatus from prayer; who are involved in HIS
WORK, who are promised protection!
Daniel wrote, “And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince
which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of
trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time:
and at that time thy people shall be delivered [protected physically, and
SAVED, spiritually], every one that shall be found written in the book.
“And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to
everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and
they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel
12:1-3). Are you helping to turn MANY to the truth of God; to righteousness?
Are you helping turn even ONE other person to righteousness? Many of those
who were formerly filled with ZEAL in doing God’s work are now settled down
in various independent, local groups, doing nothing, going nowhere, just
“waiting it out” as if they have no great GOAL in sight! Many have gone
straight back into the slop and slime of this sin-sick world; embracing
Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, abandoning God’s Sabbath and His annual
Holy Days, and therefore abandoning God! Yet, they believe “having love” is
all that is necessary! They are exactly like the ones to whom Jesus Christ
will say, “I never knew you!”
On the other hand, Christ said of those who are engaged in performing His
WORK on this earth, “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an
open door, and no man can shut it [that open door consists of TELEVISION,
THE INTERNET, RADIO, AND THE PRINTING PRESS!]: for thou hast a little
strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.
“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are
Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship
before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from
the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them
that dwell upon the earth.
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take
thy crown” (Revelation 3:8-11). This inspiring verse is paraphrased on the
corporate seal and logo of the Intercontinental Church of God: “Let no man
take your crown!” Your crown represents YOUR PART in the kingdom of God,
which is only guaranteed if you are DOING YOUR PART in the WORK OF JESUS
CHRIST of proclaiming the advance good news of His soon-coming WORLD RULING
GOVERNMENT to the nations of this earth!
Christ said “I must WORK THE WORKS of Him who sent me.” His people must be
doing the same thing today!