The ISIS Caliphate has fallen: Now what comes next?
ISIS, the Islamic army, will be defeated. The collection of savagely inhuman, religious warriors were under assault by several battle-hardened militaries. The combined military might of Russia, Turkey, The United States, and Iran is pressing in on the ruthless band of assassins who once thought they were destined to take over the world.
The defeat of ISIS is a foregone conclusion.
The soldiers will be killed or blend into the other militias doing battle against them. Not every dark-hearted soldier will be removed but the group will control much less territory by the end of 2017. Many more leaders will be dead, scattered, or hiding in a hole like Saddam Hussein. Death will be the unwelcome visitor to tens of thousands of soldiers who envisioned glory in battle. The god they served will not be able to spare them eternal punishment.
What next after the defeat of ISIS?
When they are decimated and the black flag is no longer feared in the Middle East, what will follow? Who will step into the void? The Islamic State controls portions of Syrian and Iraq. Both countries desire to regain full control of their borders but that is unlikely to happen.
Turkey wants a piece of both countries.
Iran wants a piece of both and already has the upper hand.
Russia is supporting its allies, Syria and Iran.
The United States is committed to defeating ISIS and finding an exit point from a war they should have avoided.
Iran wins first
In the end, Iran will have a strong military presence in Iraq and Syria and they won’t let go unless they are forced.
Dr. Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisory under President Richard Nixon wrote a very interesting article on this subject. He predicts Iran will emerge as the victor in this struggle. He sees them, rightfully so, as a much more dangerous enemy once Islamic State is defeated. I believe he is correct. The war to defeat Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army was a golden opportunity for Iran. They have seized upon it.
The article by Dr. Kissinger is here. The new enemy.
Who wins next?
The mystery army from the west.
I believe his theory is correct. The bible seems to tell a similar story in the eighth chapter of Daniel. An army approaches from the east and takes over the area we are discussing. An opposing army from the west confronts them and eventually defeats them. The army from the west will not be the United States. Many battles and crushing defeats ensue and in time a familiar figure arises and takes control of the attacking force from the west. This figure is the antichrist. We find these amazing details in Daniel 8.
Daniel 8:4
I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
Daniel 8:5
And as I was considering, behold, a he-goat came from the west on the face of the whole earth and touched not the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
Daniel 8:6
And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power.
A ram pushes west, I believe this is Iran. A goat pushes against the ram from the west.
Daniel 8:8
Therefore the he-goat waxed very great: and when he was strong, the great horn was broken; and for it came up four notable ones toward the four winds of heaven.
Daniel 8:9
And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
Daniel 8:11
Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him, the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
This ‘little horn’ which became exceeding great will take away the daily sacrifice. This is the antichrist. When the Jewish temple is rebuilt this leader will fulfill one of the most important of all prophecies. This prophecy starts a three and a half-year countdown till the end of the tribulation period.
Is Mr. Kissinger right?
Will Iran push west? Will another army crush Iran? Should we expect the antichrist to rise soon after that? The bible doesn’t give us a date nor does Dr. Kissinger offer one but the bible does say this series of battles will lead to the most dreadful time of war the world will ever see.
It’s all in God’s hands. The Bible foretells a difficult end to this glorious story. It’s darkest before the dawn and the darkness will be thick as blood. Two thousand years ago the blood of a perfect man bought us a victory from the dark hours coming. As the day approaches put your trust in Jesus. When it’s so dark you can feel it, the bright and morning star will be ready to streak brilliant bolts of glory across the heavens.
Read your bible, draw close to your creator.
Let me know what you think.