Egypt Hardens

Sixteen Americans are among 43 foreign NGO workers recently arrested and bound for trial in Egypt. The escalating war of words over these cases threatens the fragile regional peace. What might this mean for the future of the Middle East?

The reasonably friendly and cooperative U.S.-Egypt relationship, which has been the linchpin of the relative peace in the Middle East since 1973, continues to fray in an alarming manner. One year after the fall of Hosni Mubarak, the initial euphoria caused by the popular uprising is giving way to frustration and anger that nothing has really changed in the lives of most Egyptians.

The Islamist political movement the Muslim Brotherhood controls half the seats in the new parliament, making it by far the largest political bloc in the nation. As such, it is pushing to provide the new prime minister who would then name the new government’s ministers. You may recall, as we reported a year ago (“What Next for Egypt?”), that the Muslim Brotherhood’s long-term goal is the reestablishment of a caliph, one politico-religious leader for the entire Islamic world, whose goal would be spreading Islam throughout the rest of the world.

Egypt’s military, of which Mubarak was a product (he was commander of the air force from 1972-1975), has maintained control of the country since the former president’s removal.

But increasing calls for the kind of demonstrations and strikes that led to Mubarak’s fall, as a way of pushing for more rapid and substantive change, are pitting the military against democratic protesters. This, in turn, led to raids and arrests. CNN reported that, as part of a crackdown on prodemocracy movements, raids targeted 10 organizations, including three democracy institutes. One of those arrested is the son of the U.S. Transportation secretary.

Rising anti-American sentiment

Some U.S. lawmakers have called for the suspension of the $1.3 billion of annual U.S. aid to Egypt over the arrests. Now a top Muslim Brotherhood official has warned that such a move would directly affect the 1979 peace treaty signed with Israel, in effect threatening military action.

To this point, it was assumed by most that massive U.S. aid would prevent Egypt from dangerous or provocative actions against Israel. This no longer appears to be true. And if Egyptian leaders are willing to risk the aid for something as small as the arrests of a few activists (traditionally a small matter), then rising animosity toward the U.S. appears to be radically changing the political balance.

The makeshift peace of decades past, which papered over so many bitter political and religious conflicts, appears increasingly to be coming apart like wet newspaper.

The Bible on Middle East peace

The Bible, of course, predicts a time of chaos and military confrontation in this region just prior to the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus warned of hostile armies surrounding Jerusalem just before His second coming (Luke 21:20).

Zechariah, hundreds of years earlier, also prophesied about the end time, portraying the nations being gathered against Jerusalem in a siege (Zechariah 12:1-3).

Thus, all the best-meaning human efforts to secure peace will ultimately fail. The evidence is mounting that the relative stability of the recent past is fading from the scene, and violence may soon begin once again.

Ultimately only the intervention of God Almighty will finally bring a durable peace to this blood-drenched region. Thank God, that time of peace will come

Assurance for the future

The prophet Isaiah was given an encouraging vision of the peace that will exist between ancient adversaries when the Kingdom of God is finally established. “In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, ‘Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance’” (Isaiah 19:24-25).

We should closely follow events in the Middle East, as they will be indicators of the pace of prophetic fulfillment. As Jesus warned about the events He prophesied, including among others the gathering of armies around Jerusalem: “When you see these things happening, know that it [the end of the age and His return] is near—at the doors!” (Mark 13:29).

Joel Meeker is the French-language regional director for the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.

For more about Egypt and the Middle East in Bible prophecy, see:

• Arab World in Crisis: Where Will It Lead?
• Keep Watching the Middle East!
• What Next for Egypt?