Who are the Kings of the East?

Dr. Couch, during the tribulation the book of Revelation mentions the invasion of the "kings of the East" into the Middle East. Could this be the Chinese? ANSWER:  It could be the Arabic peoples from the region of Saudi Arabia or beyond, and it could also be the Chinese. Many forget that less than 100 years ago, China was divided up into kingdoms that were fairly independent, with some being extremely large. We read: "When the sixth angel poured out his bowl upon the great river, the Euphrates; and its water was dried up, that the way might be prepared for the kings from the east" (Rev. 16:12).    The reason I believe it could be the Chinese is because the Arabs are involved with Gog and Magog in the war against Israel. This would leave the "Far Eastern" people, the Chinese, for this battle that is one of the last ones. Since I wrote my Handbook of Revelation the Chinese have come on the stage of historical events at a rapid rate, far faster than I or anyone else could have imagined. Things are changing so fast that it is difficult to keep up with it!    By the way, the kings of the east could be the Japanese. The Greek text in verse 12 actually reads: "the way of the kings who were from the rising of the sun might be prepared." The full orbed sun is put on the Japanese flag! And through the centuries, they have been the most dominate of peoples in the Far East! Robert Thomas adds: "This bowl looks to the future and the last conflict of world empires against God and His Messianic people (Joel 3:2; Zeph. 3:8)."    I believe we could be closer to the end-time events than we could have possibly thought just a few years ago. We are moving deeper and deeper into the apostasy of the church and of the culture than could have been guessed. The rapture of the church is very near!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (6-10)

What Does the Word Hamas Mean?

Dr. Couch, what does the word Hamas mean? We hear this all the time in the news used of the orthodox Arabs in their war against us and against Israel. 

 

    The Abrabic word Hamas is part of the Semitic family of words that is related to Semitic Hebrew. Therefore to know Hebrew is to know Arabic (except the letters are somewhat foreign to Hebrew). 

    Technically, the word Hamas is pronounced chamas though the ch sound has been softened. Thus the word: hamas. The word is used several places in the OT. On Isaiah 60:18 where it is used, Unger writes in his commentary: “Violence (hamas, the unjust use of force by the stronger upon the weaker).” This tells the whole story about the evil intent of the Abrabic world against Israel and the West today! 

    In the Hebrew lexicon the word is defined further as: to treat violently, to oppress, to injure, to sin against someone, to tear something away violently, to be violently made naked. 

    The militant Arabs, who are living out the violence that is natural in Islam, are being consistent with their theology. The vast majority of Muslims are condoning the violent actions of their brothers. Almost no Arabs censor the killing of the innocent infidel who is a non-Muslim. “The religion of the sword” has always characterized Islam. The Hamas organization has picked the right word to describe their activities and their philosophy. Isn’t it interesting that the word love is used to best characterize Christianity! 

    CNN Network has recently done a documentary in which it lumps orthodox Judaism and Christianity with orthodox Islam and violent Islam. Fundamental, evangelical, and premillennial Christians are now seen as the enemy to the liberal mindset. 

Thanks for asking.

Dr. Mal Couch

Are the Arabs Descendants of Ishmael?

Dr. Couch, Are the Arabs descendants of Ishmael? 

 

    The Arabs in the Middle East today are a mixture of many peoples, but there are three groups that play heavily on the biblical texts. Yes, they would include far descendants of Ishmael (Gen. 17:20-27), but also the sons of Esau (25:24-on) and Abraham’s later sons from his wife Keturah and his many concubines (25:1-6). Nearing death, Abraham became guilty and fearful about the many sons from the concubines. The Bible says that "Abraham gave gifts while he was still living, and sent them away from his son Isaac eastward, to the land of the east" (v. 6). 

    All of these children were not of the covenant through Isaac and Jacob and his sons. This is partly why there is war today in the Middle East over the Jews, and over the Promised Land. Abraham’s family mistakes have to a degree brought about competition, envy, and jealousy. 

    Thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch