It's been over a year now since U.S. began their attack in Iraq in March of 2003. There are many controversies of why the U.S. invaded in the first place:
-economic greed for oil
-humanitarian mission to deliver the people of Iraq from political oppression by Saddam's regime
-pay back from 9/11
Whatever it is, God will have His just at the end. As an American citizen, who has lived the comfort of the freedom and blessings of this nation; I'm (Sal) not the best person to give my analysis of this controversy. However, as a Christian, I fe el it's my duty to love all of God's people and know that He's in control. It doesn't mean I can just sit here and just enjoy the blessings of American lifestyle. It's a duty of all believers in Christ to pray and intercede for this nation. Jesus commanded us not only to love Him and our neighbors, but also share the Gospel to "all nations"-yes Muslims too!
Oppressed Nation
I'm no expert on this nation, but from my perspective; I believe the political situation going on in this oppressed nation was due to the lack of the Freedom in Christ. There is a low literacy rate amongst Muslims, which many are not educated enough to understand or read. Whose falt is this, I sometimes feel the lack of opportunity given to it's people. Yes, we can point to Saddam and it's regime, but also the lack of care from the world. Just look at the gangs and inner-city crime in America. Why are their social problems in our cities? It's because of lack of care and no compassion for the oppressed. Yes, there are a few that get that "luck" or chance in life. It's because of people taking responsibilities of their individual lives and I feel personally that they took that opportunity given by God to succeed. Again, I'm no expert, but we need to Ask Him (Matthew 7:7). I believe if one does, God will send someone his/her way to get them out of their situation. Just look at the countless testimonies of people who have!
I don't understand the political situation going on in Iraq, but I just know that God loves the people of Iraq and it's only through the love of Christ that can get them out of their situation. Yes, God uses people, but His people need to answer His call to be His light to them. Who is willing to be sent?
From : Lois D
Sent : Tuesday, September 7, 2004 9:51 PM
To : Lois D.
Subject : Iraq
IRAQ - VERY INTERESTING - DID YOU KNOW?
1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq!
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq.
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.
10. Amos cried out in Iraq!
11. Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourth person in the fiery furnace!)
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq.
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq.
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq.
17. The wise men were from Iraq.
18. Peter preached in Iraq.
19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon,which was a city in Iraq!
And you have probably seen this one. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq!
However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.
Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.
No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated it than Iraq.
Another E-mail Forward:
3. SADDAM'S MASS GRAVES - While the naysayers and the liberal media obsess over the "failures of intelligence" and all the reasons why we were "misled" into liberating Iraq, they conveniently gloss over the humanitarian side of the equation. In fact, after listening to the nightly news lately, one could easily come away with the impression that we have done a great injustice to Saddam Hussein! But last week brought more horrifying news that further bolsters the justification for removing this brutal tyrant. British media outlets are reporting on the discovery of yet another of Saddam's mass graves. This one, however, includes primarily women and children and "thighbones the size of matchsticks" from the skeletons of unborn babies. Also found were the bodies of "toddlers clutching toys" and in one case, "A baby had been shot in the back of its head and was found still being clutched by its mother, who had been shot in the face." The report states that Iraq's human rights ministry has identified as many as 40 potential mass graves � each with its own horrors waiting to be revealed. At times like this, I think it is instructive to remember that there were some in our own country who opposed America's entry into World War II. For years we debated while England fought alone. And in that time, Hitler strengthened his Atlantic wall and we paid the price for our delay on D-Day. Yet, when the film reels of allied soldiers liberating places like Auschwitz, Buchenwald, and Dachau returned home, the voices of reluctance fell silent in shame. Let me repeat this one more time: Saddam Hussein was a weapon of mass destruction! The bodies of "toddlers clutching toys" are silently testifying to that fact. Should we have given this madman more time to scheme against us, more time to rebuild his defenses, more time to murder additional thousands? No! Liberating Iraq was the right thing to do. It was the right war, at the right time, for the right reasons. This is another unfortunate answer to prayer: the truth IS being told! Offer praise, and ask that EVERY HIDDEN THING BE REVEALED about evil of Saddam Hussein's regime. (Matthew 10:26)
4. WHAT? IRAQ HAD WMD'S AFTER ALL? - The mainstream media and the Bush Administration's loyal opposition have used every word ever written about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program to convince the world that Iraq did not have a weapons of mass destruction program after the first gulf war in 1991; in fact, they cherry-picked every report for the juiciest verbiage justifying this position. Now, in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, the head of the U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency says there appears to be "widespread and apparently systematic dismantlement" at sites related to Iraq's nuclear program. This begs the question: If Iraq had no nuclear program after 1991, then how could there be a dismantling of something the country did not have? Indeed, the U.N. is expressing some angst over where the nuclear materials it knew existed have landed. And you can bet that opponents of the war will blame the United States for allowing these materials to slip out of the country. In his final report about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, the Chief U.S. Arms Inspector admitted, "We cannot yet definitively say whether or not WMD materials were transferred out of Iraq before the war." In July 2003, the news media took the President to task for saying in his State of the Union Address that, "The British government has learned that Saddam Hussein recently sought significant quantities of uranium from Africa." The media browbeat the President into backing off that statement, but it was later proven to be true. At that time the United Nations insisted that documented biological weapons materials sufficient to produce over 25,000 liters of anthrax and over 38,000 liters of botulinum toxin, enough to kill several million people, remained missing. To this day, like the nuclear weapons materials, there is still no accounting for these biological weapons materials. Something is amiss. Reports conclude there were no WMDs in Iraq, but the U.N. insists that known WMD materials are missing. The truth is entangled somewhere deep in the corruption of the Oil for Food program, in under the table bribes and in illegal deals between Iraq and America's so-called allies. The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 5:6 "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." In 2 Timothy 3:13 Paul also wrote, "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." Do not be deceived, seek the truth of Christ. (Bill Wilson; The Daily Jot)
5. GOOD NEWS FROM IRAQ - Editor's Note: Shannon Arnwine of Sonora, Texas, is a Marine Captain serving as a supply officer in Fallujah. Following is an e-mail he wrote to his parents, Tommy and Beverly Arnwine, on Sunday, October 10, 2004.
Hey Mom and Dad,
I am doing well. It was good to hear your voices yesterday. Thank God for technology. Ya'll had said that you might have a letter of mine printed in the paper or read at church. I would like at least the people in Sonora to understand what is really going on over here, not what they hear on the news. If you watch the news, especially CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, or CBS � they all show you the death and destruction that is happening over here, soldiers and Marines dying daily � one would think that we were losing this war. Just like the Vietnam War, the public thinks we are losing. But just like the Vietnam War, we in truth are winning. We have won every conflict, every skirmish, every firefight, but the media wants the great American people to believe this is a losing cause. It isn't. This is why we are here. These people are good people; they are our brothers and sisters. They were so brutalized by Saddam Hussein's regime that, when I walk by them, they cower from me. Yes, some are thieves, but they try to steal out of necessity. These people need us and want us here; they have told me this themselves. Because we are here, they have jobs again, they get paid, they put food on their tables, their schools are open and children are learning, their hospitals are open and working, their infrastructure is up and running. Do you see this on the news? We are helping our neighbors. These young Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen are doing wonders over here. I am in complete awe of them. This cause that we are fighting and dying for is a worthy cause; what we are doing over here is the right thing to do. You have paid with your own flesh and blood. Shane Folmar (a soldier from Sonora, Texas) died a hero, on his feet, facing the enemy. He gave his life so that this battle would be fought here, not at home. God bless you all, and God bless America. Pray for us. Semper Fi. Shannon. (San Angelo Standard-Times; October 16, 2004) (Excerpted)
...Watchman Network....more
Post 2005 Iraqi Elections
"BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - Many of the Iraqi Christians who cast ballots in yesterday's election say they voted for Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, a secular Shiite Muslim.
A Christian housewife at a Baghdad polling station said a vote for Allawi meant "choosing a strong leader who does not differentiate between Iraqis of any religion." A Christian couple said they were defying insurgents and choosing a leader who they hope will bring security to Iraq.
Another Iraqi Christian said, "This is our land and we will stay here," adding that Christians were there "even before Islam." Christians today make up just three percent of Iraq's population.
Iraqi officials estimate that as many as 15,000 Iraqi Christians have left the country since August, when car bombings at five churches killed 12 people and injured 61 others.
-from Many Iraqi Christians Cast Ballots for Allawi, from Christian World News-Roundup
Biblical History
The City of Nineveh (capital of Assyria, which is modern day Mosul-lays in this nation too! This is where God commanded Jonah to "preach" too. Remember Jonah and the Whale (see Jesus is Lord)!
Related Sites:
The Book of Job
-Reign of Nebuchadnezzar
" In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god."-Daniel 1
Related Sites:
- Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
"1 In the second year of his reign, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; his mind was troubled and he could not sleep. 2 So the king summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers and astrologers [a] to tell him what he had dreamed. When they came in and stood before the king, 3 he said to them, "I have had a dream that troubles me and I want to know what it means.... [b] "
...14 When Arioch, the commander of the king's guard, had gone out to put to death the wise men of Babylon, Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact. 15 He asked the king's officer, "Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?" Arioch then explained the matter to Daniel. 16 At this, Daniel went in to the king and asked for time, so that he might interpret the dream for him.
17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. 19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven 20 and said:
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his....
... 26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"
... 46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. 47 The king said to Daniel, "Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery."
48 Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. 49 Moreover, at Daniel's request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.-Daniel 2
Related Sites:
-Daniel in the Den of Lions
"15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed."
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" "-Daniel 6
Related Sites:
- Daniel's Dream of Four Beasts (End Times)
"1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream, and visions passed through his mind as he was lying on his bed. He wrote down the substance of his dream.
2 Daniel said: "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven churning up the great sea. 3 Four great beasts, each different from the others, came up out of the sea. "-Daniel 7
Facts
Current
History
The World Around Us - The Legacy of Iraq's Ancient Cultures
'Enlightening Entertainment - Episode 325,
The World Around Us - The Legacy of Iraq's Ancient Cultures,
Air date: August 5, 2007 (EE - 20070805) "
Media
Movies
Iraqi Christians
"This video is a tribute to the Christians that live in Iraq. While the country is overwhelming Islamic, over one million Christians once lived in Iraq, including a community found in the city of Mousel that were one of the oldest Chistian communities that existed, dating back to first century. However, persecution has caused many Christians to flee Iraq and violent persuection continues to afflict those that stay in their homeland. And while the new government has close ties to the US, it still does nothing to prevent persecution of Christians by their Muslim neighbors"
Perspectives
-Christians
-U.S. Soldiers
Prayer
Travel
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