SAUDI ARABIA 2010

1. SAUDI ARABIA 2010

2. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? US bolsters defences of Iran's Gulf neighbours Daily Telegraph, January 31, 2010 President Barack Obama is rushing tobolster the defences of Iran's Arab neighbours amid fears of the growing possibility of a missile strike by Tehran. His administration was reported on Sunday to have increased patrols by its warships in the Gulf and to be rapidly escalating the deployment of Patriot anti-missile batteries in Gulf states that fear an attack from Iran. There is particular concern over the threat to oil installations. Iran has hinted of its capacity to disrupt the passage of tankers in the Gulf, a threat with the potential to disrupt the world oil market. News of the initiatives, which include an increase in the number of "special" naval patrol vessels off Iran's coast, comes as Washington and its western allies have virtually given up on President Barack Obama's efforts to persuade the Iranians to pursue meaningful negotiation over their nuclear programme. EVENT In Ezekiel 38 there is a wonderful prophecy of the nations who do not invade Israel with Russia. These nations are described as Tarshish, young lions and Sheba and Dedan. We have long identified Britain as Tarshish. We have also identified the young lion (powerful offspring) of the old lion (the UK) as America, Canada, Australia etc. We have also identified Sheba and Dedan as countries within the Saudi Arabian peninsula. It is countries within the Saudi peninsula that the USA is busy arming. This week America announced that defences would be boosted in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, (which also hosts the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet headquarters) and Qatar, home to a modernized U.S. air operations centre that has played a key role in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. How exciting to see everything develop as expected. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

3. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? US test-fires Trident missile in drill with Saudis The Washington Post, March 31, 2010 The United States test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads during a joint military exercise Wednesday with Saudi Arabia, a Western military official said. The Trident missile launch was carried out in the kingdom, the official said, but he would not give a precise location. He spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue. The U.S. has been strengthening missile defences in allied Arab nations in the Gulf to help counter any potential missile strike from Iran. Like its nuclear work, Iran's missile program is of top concern to Washington and Arab nations wary of Tehran's growing influence in the region. A defence official in Washington confirmed the missile launch on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record. He said, however, that it took place late last week and was part of a demonstration. EVENT Earlier this month, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates visited the kingdom to tell Saudi officials that the Obama administration's efforts for diplomatic engagement with Iran had come to nothing. Gates also discussed bolstering Saudi air and missile defence capabilities as part of the broader U.S. effort to boost security in the Gulf in the face of Iran's expanding arsenal of ballistic missiles. This missile test is part of this. The United States has promised to speed up weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf allies, which have bought billions of dollars worth of American weapons - including missile defence hardware - in recent years. It is wonderful to us as Bible students that this fits perfectly into the scenario painted by Ezekiel 38. America (a young lion) is working with Sheba & Dedan (modern Saudi Arabia). They form the king of the south. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

4. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ…..And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Genetic study sheds light on Jewish diaspora BBConline, June 9, 2010 Scientists have shed light on Jewish history with an in-depth genetic study. The researchers analysed genetic samples from 14 Jewish communities across the world and compared them with those from 69 non-Jewish populations. Their study, published in Nature, revealed that most Jewish populations were "genetically closer" to each other than to their non-Jewish neighbours. It also revealed genetic ties between globally dispersed Jews and non-Jewish populations in the Middle East. This fits with the idea that most contemporary Jews descended from ancient Hebrew and Israelite residents in the Middle Eastern region known as the Levant. It provides a trace of the Jewish diaspora. Doron Behar from Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa, Israel, led an international team of scientists in the study. He described it as a form of "genetic archaeology". "It seems that most Jewish populations and therefore most Jewish individuals are closer to each other [at the genetic level], and closer to the Middle Eastern populations, than to their traditional host population in the diaspora," he explained. EVENT In Genesis we read that God created all life on earth. He uses the phrase “seed after his kind” to describe how trees, fruit etc would replicate. The same applies not only to plants but also to animals and humans. In relation to this phrase “after his kind” Strong's says “Groups of living organisms belong in the same created "kind" if they have descended from the same ancestral gene pool.” In God’s sight there are 2 gene pools for humans. Jewish and Gentile. The study above shows this is the case. The wonderful news is though that though we technically belong to the Gentile gene pool we can be grafted in to the Jewish one and share in their wonderful promises made to the original father of the Jewish nation – Abraham. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Galatians 3:27,29)

5. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? US secures $60 billion arms sale to Saudi Arabia Daily Telegraph, September 13, 2010 The United States is selling $60 billion (£40 billion) worth of aircraft to Saudi Arabia in a huge deal that will increase unease about a gathering arms race in the Middle East. In what is the largest ever US arms sale of its kind, Riyadh has agreed to spend $30 billion up front on top range fighter jets and helicopters, with the rest following at an undisclosed date. The two countries are also discussing an upgrade naval package potentially worth $30 billion, but the timing of that deal is not clear. The deals are a coup for the Obama administration ahead of the midterm Congressional elections. The aircraft contracts are set to benefit defence manufacturers in 44 states and help to protect 77,000 jobs. Democratic candidates are expected to come under severe pressure in the elections in part because of the US's high unemployment rate. But the deal will raise concerns about the militarisation of the Gulf states and the Middle East which in part seems to be being driven by the Iranian nuclear situation. EVENT While Russia is busy arming the territory of the ancient king of the north we also have America busy arming the territory of the king of the south! Saudi Arabia is mentioned in Ezekiel 38. Not as one of the nations invading Israel with Russia BUT as an opposing nation to Russia. This is quite remarkable as it is not what you might expect without the Bible as your guide. We might imagine that as an Arab nation Saudi Arabia would side with Russia. But no. Saudi Arabia is the ancient nation of Sheba. Sheba is where Tarshish (Britain) and the young lions (eg America) are based. We see this situation developing exactly as prophesied over 2500 years ago. It is coming to pass before our eyes. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

6. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? These nations form the King of the South that oppose Russia etc who form the king of the north. US to sell $60 bn in advanced arms to Saudi Arabia Daily Telegraph, October 20, 2010 The Obama administration notified Congress on Wednesday that it plans to sell up to $60 billion (£38 billion) in advanced weaponry to Saudi Arabia in one of the largest-ever single US arms sales, a deal intended to counter the rising influence of Iran. State Department and Pentagon officials told lawmakers that the sales that will include 84 new F-15 fighter jets, upgrades to 70 existing Saudi F-15s, 190 helicopters and a wide array of missiles, bombs and delivery systems, as well as accessories such as night-vision goggles and radar warning systems. The sale, first revealed in September, has been in the works for months and is designed to strengthen the defence forces of Saudi Arabia, a longtime US ally, and counter Iran as a regional power in the Persian Gulf. "This proposed sale has tremendous significance from a strategic regional perspective," said Andrew Shapiro, the assistant secretary of state for political and military affairs who announced the deal. "It will send a strong message to countries in the region that we are committed to support the security of our key partners and allies in the Arabian Gulf and broader Middle East," EVENT Notice the words above… “This proposed sale has tremendous significance…” And it has to those who love God’s word and his prophecies. It shows us that the words written by Ezekiel 2,500 years ago are true. Ezekiel prophesied that Sheba and Dedan would be working together with Tarshish and the young lions. Sheba and Dedan cover the area of modern Saudi Arabia. The offspring of Tarshish (Britain) is of course the United States – a young lion. So in Bible language we have seen this week a “young lion” supporting “Sheba”. Despite being Arab, Saudi Arabia will NOT fight against Israel COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

7. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Queen's Gulf visit: What the Gulf means to the UK Daily Telegraph, November 25, 2010 The visit has taken on an unusually political flavour both with the change of government in Britain and increasing tensions with Iran a short distance away on the other side of the Gulf. The Queen has arrived in Abu Dhabi at the start of a tour of the Gulf intended to strengthen ties with key military and economic allies. The Queen and Prince Philip made a first, symbolic visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, one of the world's largest, named in honour the founding father of the United Arab Emirates. Sheikh Zayed al-Nahyan, who was also ruler of Abu Dhabi, hosted the royal couple on their last visit to the country, in 1979, and his eldest son and successor, Sheikh Khalifa, is their first host this week. On Thursday night they will fly on to Muscat, where they will take part in celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of Sultan Qaboos's coming to power. Both countries are former British protectorates, where the royal family also has strong personal ties with local leaders. The United Arab Emirates end of the visit was rearranged after a planned tour last year EVENT This week the Queen has been visiting friendly Arab nations in the Gulf. There are strong ties between Britain and Oman and The United Arab Emirates. The idea of the visit is to strengthen MILITARY and ECONOMIC ties! This is very interesting from a Biblical perspective. Britain is Tarshish. The Arab two nations mentioned are in the ancient area of Dedan. Both Tarshish and Dedan are mentioned in the same verse in Ezekiel 38. Notice in the verse below Dedan and the MERCHANTS of Tarshish. What is Britain interested in? TRADE. But this is not just a economic alliance but a military one. How do we know? Because this chapter is in the context of war against Israel… COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)

8. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil? Israel, Gulf states conducted secret diplomacy Washington Post, December 1, 2010 Israel and its adversaries in the Persian Gulf in recent years carried out extensive secret diplomacy to coordinate policy and exchange information on the threat posed by Iran, despite both sides' public posture of mutual hostility. A classified 2009 diplomatic cable disclosed this week provides a rare glimpse into the secret and often high-level diplomacy between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, all countries that officially do not recognize the Jewish state. Contrary to the condemnatory rhetoric opposing Israel in public, Arab diplomats behind the scenes have asked Israel to carry messages to the U.S. government and urged tougher action on Iran. The March 19, 2009, cable quotes Yacov Hadas, deputy director of Israel's Foreign Ministry, as telling an American diplomat: "The Gulf Arabs believe in Israel's role because of their perception of Israel's close relationship with the U.S., but also due to their sense that they can count on Israel against Iran." Aaron David Miller, who has been a senior Middle East adviser to six secretaries of state, said every Arab country with the exception of Iraq under Saddam Hussein and Libya has had some diplomatic channel to Israel. EVENT One of the most interesting leaks that has been revealed this week is the strong link between Israel and certain Arab nations. It has indeed been a rare glimpse into the truth of the relationship between these nations. High level diplomacy exists between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and the UAE. All nations that are in ancient Sheba and Dedan. The very nations that do NOT attack Israel when Gog invades. The Gogian invasion is NOT Arab v Jew. It is Russia, Iran, Libya, Turkey v Israel with Saudi Arabia, Britain, America trying to defend Israel. Here is confirmation we are right. COMMENT BIBLE QUOTE (Ezekiel 38:13)