Operation Megiddo

Looking at the world today, it's not hard to see the ancient Biblical predictions of the final great battle in the Valley of Megiddo (Northern Israel) taking shape.In fact, it's quite obvious to even the casual observer of international politics, let alone serious students of the geo-strategic. On the one hand, it's kind of scary we are heading down this path. On the other hand, if you believe in the Bible, it's all apart of God's plan, and to judge it any other way is to put yourself before God. In both instances, we are all heading toward that date with destiny  - so it appears.

Watching the rise of China, the demonetization of Russia, the arming and slaughter within the Arab countries, the internal maneuvering of the United States, and the placement of profit over humanity on a world-wide scale, one can only conclude that all these things must come to a central boiling point. For every action there is a reaction, and sooner or later those reactions are going to culminate in a blood letting. I suppose, in that way, we as a species are pretty predictable, and therefore Revelation, as written in the Bible, is a common sense result of a humanity consumed with itself. In other words we are authors of our own demise. Unable to detach ourselves from the superficial. Seemingly unable to restrain ourselves in a disciplined way from consuming every resource, every beautiful thing on the planet we inherited. Acting as it were as children without a parent to constrain us.

Wherever we look in the world today, our humanity is being sacrificed on the alters of self-serving arrogance. Africa is being torn apart by disease, starvation, corruption, and war. All of which is fully within the reach of humanity to stop - and all of which has not been stopped. The most militarily powerful countries in the world are mobilizing their armies, and those of their proxies. Our TV scenes are full of images of children, women and men being killed by military actions all over the world. Whether it be Ukraine, Nigeria, Iraq, Libya, or any other place the story remains the same - detachment. It's somewhere else, who cares. It's not our problem. It's off to Walmart we go. It seems as if the collective human spirit, that force that can do almost anything, has chosen to cocoon in self-interest while the forces of those driving us to the Valley of Megiddo march on. In a sense, humanity seems resigned to sacrifice itself for pleasure, comfort and contentment.

Watching this unfold in slow motion is a bit of a tribulation in itself. Coming to the realization that governments like the United States are intent on either controlling the world, or destroying it if that's not possible, is troubling.  Seeing countries like China and Russia respond in like measure is equally troubling. On the one hand there is the argument that their actions are in self-defence against a power intent on consuming or controlling them. On the other hand there is the lesson Jesus taught us, which is to turn the other cheek. To love your enemy. I suppose if everyone followed Jesus' teachings we wouldn't have this march toward Megiddo. There would be no conflict. It takes two to tango, and if one keeps turning the other cheek then the other must eventually resign itself to peace. But, apparently, only the perfect man was able to achieve that standard, and the rest of us are that much less - to our detriment.

With a full blown war in the Middle East now just on the horizon, and the posturing of primarily American forces in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, we stand on the cusp of the Valley of Megiddo. We can see it from here clearly - if we turn our head in that direction. But can we? We seem consumed with self-righteousness. We have allowed ourselves to become the judge, jury and executioner of our fellow man. We are not our brother's keeper. We lean more toward Cain. We cannot see the goodness each of us possess. Whether it be the man with long hair, beard and black pajamas in Syria or Iraq, the battered soldiers on either side in Ukraine, the determination and discipline of a Chinese or North Korean soldier, the defensive spirit of the Israeli volunteer army, the pride in the step of the Russian soldier, or the sincerity of an American with fighting spirit. We can't honour, and respect our difference. We can't bring ourselves to see that all people have qualities that in their own way are beautiful. Instead, we turn a blind eye to those qualities in our quest to be right. Not righteous, but self-righteous. Sitting in judgement. Consumed with purpose. Even when we instinctively know that purpose leads us to the Valley of Megiddo.