Unleashing the Beast

222 / U NLEASHING THE B EAST

If the headquarters of the Antichrist will be Iraq and the area of ancient Babylon, then at what point in time would this area be destroyed? It could be devastated during a war with Israel or the West, and rebuilt for the Antichrist. After all, the nations of the earth would never allow Iraq to be destroyed without demanding the West to rebuild it completely, just as we did Japan and Germany after World War II. Since John, in Revelation, sees "Mystery Babylon" burn up with fire in one hour, and this prophecy is fulfilled during the final 42 months of the Great Tribulation, Iraq could become the command center for the Beast kingdom during the first 42 months. Following a major conflict with the king of the north—Turkey (see Daniel 1:40-44)—the area of Iraq could be destroyed and the Antichrist would then make his move into Israel. Without doubt, Iraq will become the center of attention in the last days. Just as Jerusalem is the gate of heaven and the place where God placed His name, ancient Babel was the gate of wickedness and the place where deceit and spiritual corruption was birthed (see Zechariah 5:5-11). The battles in the future, especially against Islamic terrorists, will eventually change the face of nations on the earth. Iraq will be one of those nations. Iraq's prosperity is based on oil; and oil will play a huge role in the final kingdom.