It’s not possible to watch the events unfolding in Egypt without concern. Any shift in the power base in the Middle East creates concern for Israel’s relations with its neighbours, but also for other Arab states with dictatorial regimes. The current unrest started in Tunisia, which toppled a long time dictator, and continues in other Arab dictatorships in Jordan and Yemen. If the unrest spreads to the gulf oil states, we will also feel the effects in the west.
Egypt, the only Arab nation with a peace treaty with Israel, has the largest Arab population of eighty million, mostly Muslim. But Egypt also has sizable Christian minority, as noted in recent attacks against the Coptic Christians in Egypt.
The only recognizable opposition group is the Muslim Brotherhood of Egypt. Although it has renounced violence, it strongly opposes Israel and the west, maintains links to Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and has a wide following among the poor in the country.
According to reports, Mohamed ElBaradei, the only visible opposition leader in the country, is considering forming a coalition government with the Brotherhood should Mubarak fall.
Any change to a government that opposes Israel will change the balance of power sharply, and Israel’s position, fragile as it is now, will become more uncertain. All Arab nations surrounding Israel, apart from Egypt, are still technically at war with her.
End time prophecies centre on the biblical lands with Israel as a sovereign state. This was not possible for the last two thousand years until 1948, when Israel became a recognised nation in Palestine. Thus the Middle East is centre stage in world events; all other conflicts are sideshows.
Any event in this area interests Christians as a possible step towards the return of Christ, but I have written on the specific events that will indicate the nearness of his coming in Guess Who’s Coming to Reign! Check the website, http://norfords-writings.com/books.
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