End of Terrorism? So What?

Newly-appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, announced Saturday that the U.S. is within reach of defeating al-Qaeda. As Panetta stated, "I think we have them on the run. I think now is the moment, following what happened with bin Laden, to put maximum pressure on them, because I do believe that if we continue this effort we really can cripple al Qaeda as a threat to this country."

Since the killing of Osama bin Laden in May, several other top al-Qaeda operatives have been eliminated. Bin Laden was killed by a U.S. Navy Seal team in the early hours of May 2, prompting speculation other al-Qaeda or Taliban figures hiding in Pakistan would be targeted next. And that is exactly what has occurred.

For example, Fazul Abdullah Mohammed, the mastermind of al-Qaeda's first devastating attacks, on the U.S. east African embassies in 1998, was shot at an army checkpoint in Somalia on June 12. Furthermore, Ilyas Kashmiri, a top al-Qaeda operative in Pakistan, is believed to have been killed by a drone in South Waziristan. (One senior official reported to CNN that he is "99 percent sure" that the terrorist is dead, though "the folks that make that determination aren't ready to say so definitively.")

Also, Mubarak Firas al-Juhmi, one of the most wanted al-Qaeda suspects in Yemen, was killed during clashes with military troops on Wednesday night near the provincial capital city of Zinjibar. Al-Juhmi, one of the most wanted and dangerous al-Qaeda leaders, was killed along with Shaif al-Jarbou'a al-Hejazi, Mus'ab bin Mabkhout bin Aboud al-Sharif, Saeed bin Ahmed bin Ghulaib and many other suspected terrorists.

Furthermore, an International Security Assistance Force spokesman in Afghanistan just announced that it has been reported that Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has been killed.

Panetta's pronouncement of the imminent defeat of al-Qaeda is significant, since it is the best recognized terrorist group in the world. Then, when the announcement of the demise of the top Taliban leader is added to that, the significance is multiplied. It means there is definitely something of a critical nature that is happening.

Does that indicate great planning on the part of those battling terrorism? Most likely. However, when we examine these killings-and Mr. Panetta's declaration-in light of the predictions of the Bible, we can then see there is a much bigger picture to all of this. Thus, there is something of a far greater nature occurring here-an aspect that is of eternal significance.

The Bible indicates that this war on terrorism-and its inevitable defeat-is part of end-times prophecy. We can see that from the revelation given to us in 1 Thessalonians 5:3, in which world leaders will one day declare, "Peace and security!" This fascinating declaration shows us there is coming a day in which the global community will actually believe it has achieved conquest over terrorism. That is the only way anyone could make that assertion in any form of believable fashion.

In fact, the phrase "peace and security" appears to be intricately tied to terrorism. The very first time this this phrase was presented in a public statement was in a speech given by then President George W. Bush following the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers and the Pentagon. President Bush used it several more times in public statements, during the rest of his administration; but the intensity of its usage has grown with the growth of global terrorism. President Obama has used the phrase exponentially more times than did President Bush; and other members of his administration (particularly Secretary of State Hillary Clinton) have utilized the phrase often, as well. (In a twenty-minute speech several months ago, the Secretary of State used each term-"peace" and "security"-twenty-three times!) In addition, the phrase has been used by a number of other world leaders, such as the Secretary General of the U.N. and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu.

What is of great significance is that the use of the phrase has evolved in such a way that it is now being used almost exclusively in connection with a Middle East treaty with Israel. In fact, that is how Israeli leadership has utilized the term for the last couple of years now.

The reason this connection is so important is because it fits perfectly with end-times prophecy. The Bible portrays a seven-year treaty that will be enacted between ten national leaders and Israel-a treaty which will start the clock ticking on the final seven years before the return of Christ. In conjunction with the confirmation of that treaty, the international community will believe it has achieved "peace and security".

Thus, this apparent defeat of al-Qaeda, and the victories over other terrorist leaders, may be significant in terms of Bible prophecy. It may signal the nearing of that final treaty, which will begin the final seven years before the return of Christ.

Thus, we appear to be seeing the alignment of end-times fulfillment before our very eyes, which means we are edging ever closer to the return of Christ! So, keep looking up!

Doctoral work, Phoenix Seminary; Th.M., New Testament Greek, Dallas Theological Seminary; B.A., English, University of Northern Iowa

Author; Conference Speaker

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/6414409

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