Saudi Arabia’s King King Salman bin Abdull
Donald Trump and his Administration have just made a major arms deal with Saudi Arabia:
May 20, 2017
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA —
Saudi Arabian King Salman Bin Abdulaziz presented U.S. President Donald Trump with the kingdom’s highest civilian honor Saturday during a meeting at the Royal Court in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. … During Trump’s two days in the Middle East kingdom, a weapons deal worth more than $100 billion is set to be unveiled, and the Saudi royals have invited dozens of leaders from across the Muslim world to meet with Trump. http://www.voanews.com/a/trump-to-meet-dozens-of-muslim-leaders-leaders-during-saudi-visit/3862443.html
May 20, 2017
The United States has sealed an arms deal to Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on Saturday, a move that solidifies its decades-long alliance with the world’s largest energy producer just as President Donald Trump begins an official visit to the country.
The agreement, which is worth $350 billion over 10 years and $110 billion that will take effect immediately, was hailed by the White House as “a significant expansion of…[the] security relationship” between the two countries. It represents an enhancement of Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities as tensions flare in the region, with the U.S. viewing the Saudis as a linchpin in efforts to check the global ambitions of Iran.
“This package of defense equipment and services support the long-term security of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region in the face of Iranian threats, while also bolstering the Kingdom’s ability to contribute to counter terrorism operations across the region, reducing the burden on the U.S. military to conduct those operations,” the White House said in a statement. http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/20/us-saudi-arabia-seal-weapons-deal-worth-nearly-110-billion-as-trump-begins-visit.html
Despite Donald Trump’s anti-Muslim rhetoric, the New York Times reported today that Saudi Arabia prefers him to former President Barack Obama who, among other things, froze certain arms sales to the Arabs (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/20/world/middleeast/donald-trump-saudi-arabia.html). The Hill had the following report:
May 20, 2017
U.S.-Saudi relations soured throughout the course of the Obama administration.
The Saudis opposed the Iran nuclear deal because it did not address its archrival’s other activities, such as Iran’s support for group likes Hezbollah.
The Obama administration was also increasingly critical of the Saudis’ conduct in the Yemen civil war and curtailed some military support for the campaign in the final month of his presidency. …
Trump has made disparaging comments about Muslims and more specifically about Saudi Arabia, saying the United States is “losing a tremendous amount of money” to defending the kingdom.
But the Saudis are hopeful for Trump for two reasons, said Steven Sache, executive vice president of the Arab Gulf States Institute.
First, he’s not Obama.
“For the Saudis this is an enormous opportunity to rewrite the script,” he said. “Trump is very different than Barack Obama.”
Second, Sache said, Trump’s views align with the Saudis in many areas. Both take a hardline stance on Iran, and Trump is open to selling to the Saudis weapons so they can defend themselves without U.S. troops. http://thehill.com/policy/defense/334323-saudi-arabia-courts-trump
So, the situation is different with Saudi Arabia now. Notice a Tweet from President Trump’s press secretary:
In Saudi Arabia @POTUS has just completed largest single arms deal in US history, negotiating a package totaling more than $109.7 billion
So, this is a big deal. About $110 billion now, and going up to $350 billion or so in the future.
Are there any possible prophetic ramifications to the arms deal?
Yes.
But first, recall that last year, what was billed as the world’s largest military exercise was conducted in Saudi Arabia, and it included Egyptian and other troops (see World’s largest military exercise taking place in Saudi Arabia–a prelude to the King of the South?).
Now, consider that the Bible tells of the rise of a militaristic power in the region of North Africa and the Middle East, termed King of the South.
Here is a Protestant and a Catholic translation of some of the passages in Daniel related to the coming King of the South:
40 “In the end times the southern king will attack him. The northern king will rush at him like a storm with chariots, horses, and many ships. He will invade countries, overwhelm them, and pass through their land. 41 He will invade the beautiful land, and tens of thousands will be defeated. But Edom, Moab, and the leaders of the Ammonites will escape from his power. 42 He will use his power against many countries. Even Egypt will not escape. 43 He will control gold and silver treasures and all Egypt’s treasuries. Libya and Sudan will surrender to him. (GOD’S WORD Translation)
40 ‘When the time comes for the End, the king of the south will try conclusions with him; but the king of the north will come storming down on him with chariots, cavalry, and a large fleet. He will invade countries, overrun them and drive on. 41 He will invade the Land of Splendour, and many will fall; but Edom, Moab, and what remains of the sons of Ammon will escape him. 42 ‘He will reach out to attack countries: Egypt will not escape him. 43 The gold and silver treasures and all the valuables of Egypt will lie in his power. Libyans and Cushites will be at his feet: (Daniel 11:40-43, New Jerusalem Bible)
Notice that the time will come when the King of the South will lead a major military force against the final King of the North. While the final King of the South has not yet formed, and will one day fail, steps to form the biblically-prophesied confederation are taking place. In order to attack, the King of the South needs to have weapons it feels will assist it.
The sale of so many US arms to Saudi Arabia seems to be a step in that direction.
Also notice that the Bible shows, in another place, that a time is coming when the confederation of Arabs and Egypt will be destroyed and it is in the FUTURE as it is near the day of the LORD:
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“‘Wail and say, “Alas for that day!” 3 For the day is near, the day of the LORD is near- a day of clouds, a time of doom for the nations. 4 A sword will come against Egypt, and anguish will come upon Cush. When the slain fall in Egypt, her wealth will be carried away and her foundations torn down.
5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.
6 “‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘The allies of Egypt will fall and her proud strength will fail. From Migdol to Aswan they will fall by the sword within her, declares the Sovereign LORD. 7 “‘They will be desolate among desolate lands, and their cities will lie among ruined cities. 8 Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are crushed.
9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).
And this seems to be the destruction of the King of the South by the King of the North in Daniel 11:40-43 as Ezekiel 30:4-5 sounds very much like Daniel 11:42-43.
So, we see that a power that includes the Arab lands is going to be taken over militarily one day. Getting weapons will not prevent this, but apparently will be a factor in provoking this (cf. Daniel 11:40).
Prophesied events are moving ahead.
http://www.cogwriter.com/news/prophecy/is-donald-trump-arming-part-of-the-king-of-the-south/
Radio News Reporter: John Hickey.
