Battle involving 4th caliphate
Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates have taken a tough stand against the nation of Qatar:
June 5, 2017
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt each announced Monday the cutting of diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.
The countries made the separate moves in short succession, saying they would withdraw their diplomatic staff from Qatar and cut air and sea traffic to the country.
Airlines in the region, including Saudia, Emirates and Etihad all said they would halt flights to Qatar, while Qatar Airways announced a suspension of flights to Saudi Arabia.
Yemen later joined in cutting off relations with Qatar.
Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition of nations fighting in support of Yemen’s government, also said Qatar’s forces would be withdrawn from that fight.
The Saudi state-owned SPA news agency said Qatar “embraces multiple terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, ISIS and al-Qaida, and promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly.”
Qatar’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said the measures are “unjustified and are based on baseless and unfounded allegations.”
“Qatar has been exposed to an instigation campaign based on allegations that amounted to absolute fabrications, which proves that there are premeditated intentions to cause damage to the state,” the ministry said in a statement. It further accused the nations involved of seeking to impose “guardianship” over Qatar. … The U.S. military’s Central Command maintains a large presence at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar. https://www.voanews.com/a/saudi-arabia-egypt-uae-bahrain-cut-ties-with-qatar/3887058.html
5 June 2017
A number of Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and Egypt have cut diplomatic ties with Qatar, accusing it of destabilising the region.
They say Qatar backs militant groups including so-called Islamic State (IS) and al-Qaeda, which Qatar denies.
The Saudi state news agency SPA said Riyadh had closed its borders, severing land, sea and air contact with the tiny peninsula of oil-rich Qatar.
Qatar called the decision “unjustified” and with “no basis in fact”.
The unprecedented move is seen as a major split between powerful Gulf countries, who are also close US allies.
It comes amid heightened tensions between Gulf countries and their near-neighbour, Iran. The Saudi statement accused Qatar of collaborating with “Iranian-backed terrorist groups” in its restive eastern region of Qatif and in Bahrain. …
While Qatar has joined the US coalition against IS, the Qatari government has repeatedly denied accusations from Iraq’s Shia leaders that it provided financial support to IS.
Wealthy individuals in the emirate are believed to have made donations and the government has given money and weapons to hardline Islamist groups in Syria. Qatar is also accused of having links to a group formerly known as the Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate.
The SPA statement accused Qatar of backing these groups, as well as the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood – banned in Gulf countries as a terrorist organisation – and that it “promotes the message and schemes of these groups through their media constantly”.
Saudi Arabia itself is a key backer of Islamist rebels, including hardline jihadist groups, in Syria. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-40155829
June 5, 2017
Six Arab countries—Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Libya, and Yemen—severed their relations with Qatar on Monday over its alleged support of terrorism. https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/06/what-just-happened-with-qatar/529128/
June 5, 2017
The island nation of Maldives announced later Monday that it, too, would cut ties to Qatar.
For now, however, the most immediate effects might be felt by the 2.24 million people living in Qatar. After the announcement early Monday by the four Arab nations that they would cut air, sea and land links with Qatar, images spread on social media of empty supermarket shelves in that country — an apparent sign that shoppers were stocking up in the event of shortages. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/05/qatar-could-face-a-food-crisis-in-spat-with-arab-neighbors/?utm_term=.4af27fbc95c3
So, we are seeing another attempt by major Arab nations to deal with one or more issues in their region.
Back in late 2015, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a predominantly Islamic 34 nation military coalition (see ‘Saudi Arabia Announces 34-Nation Islamic Alliance Against Terrorism’ to Protect the ‘Islamic Nation’: Is the King of the South starting to form?). And this included Egypt.
Then a couple of months later, 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?).
The Bible tells of the rise of a power in this region of the world. The Arabs might call it a caliphate, but the Bible refers to the leader as the King of the South.
Notice both a Protestant and a Catholic translation of some of the passages in Daniel related to a 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.
While some believe the prophecies in Daniel 11:40-43 have been fulfilled and do not have future application, this view is in error.
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 sound very much like Daniel 11:42-43.
The coming Arab-dominated confederation is prophesied to fail, but will form.
Today’s move against Qatar is not only intended as move against Iran and terror, it is a move towards more unityin the region. A region that will support a coming prophesied confederation.
Prophesied events are moving ahead.
Radio News Reporter: John Hickey.
