Saudi Arabia 2015

King Abdullah dies: What next in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Adbul Aziz died early Friday, setting the stage for a transition of power at a critical moment as the key U.S. ally in the Middle East struggles with falling oil prices and rising Islamist violence.The monarch, believed to be 90, was succeeded by his brother, Crown Prince Salman, according to state television. That put the region’s most important Sunni power and America’s closest Arab ally in the hands of a 79-year-old who is reportedly in poor health and suffering from dementia. While observers in Riyadh widely predicted a smooth transition to Salman, his poor health means his rule could be relatively short. Should there be a power struggle to succeed him, it could leave a vacuum in the Middle East at a critical time. Saudi Arabia is a key member of the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State and a major ally of the government that just fell in neighbouring Yemen.

Washington Post, January 22, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

BIBLEQUOTE

(Daniel 2:20-21)

Saudi Arabia is a key nation. When you read of Sheba and Dedan in the Bible you are reading about modern day Saudi Arabia in terms of geography. We read about Sheba and Dedan being allied to Tarshish and the young lions in Ezekiel 38. Tarshish is Britain. The young lions are America, Canada, Australia etc. We have seen Saudi Arabia allied to the US and UK. With the death of this Saudi king we know that this situation will continue. However as the report says the death of the king comes at a critical time. Iran is Saudi Arabia’s arch enemy. Iran is being stirred up and may well try to take advantage of this situation. Oil prices have collapsed and there is violence on its borders. Certainly this death can only weaken Saudi Arabia. The new king has dementia and many don’t see him as lasting in power too long. God is in control…

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Saudi king aims for new Sunni bloc vs Iran and ISIS

Saudi Arabia is pushing for Sunni Muslim Middle East countries to set aside differences over political Islam and focus on what it sees as more urgent threats from Iran and Islamic State. Its new monarch, King Salman, has used summits with leaders of all five Gulf Arab states, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey over the past 10 days to reinforce the need for unity and find a way to work around disagreements over the Muslim Brotherhood. Saudi Arabia's deep-seated mistrust of the Islamist group is unchanged, diplomats say. But King Salman's approach to it is more nuanced than that of his predecessor King Abdullah, who died in January, and may include being more indulgent of allies who allow its members space to operate. Last year Riyadh, along with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, withdrew its ambassador from Qatar over its links to the Brotherhood.

Associated Press, March 4, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all her young lions will say to you, “Have you come to plunder? Have you gathered your hordes to loot, to carry off silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods and to seize much plunder?”’.

BIBLEQUOTE

As Iran edges towards a nuclear deal with America, Saudi Arabia is trying to shore up its position. Saudi Arabia and Iran are arch enemies. Saudi Arabia is Sunni Muslim. Iran is Shia Muslim. Saudi therefore is looking to find other nations that are willing to join together to stand up against Iran. They believe Iran will get more confident and more likely to create a nuclear weapon if a deal is done with America. It is interesting to note the countries it is trying to work with. All the gulf Arab states , Egypt and Jordan. These are nations forming part of Bible prophecies king of the south. The original king of the south in Daniel 11 were the Ptolemy's based in Egypt. The latter day king of the south is Saudi Arabia and gulf states – Sheba and Dedan – mentioned in Ezekiel 38. We see the southern block of nations coming together to take on the Iranian aggressor as foretold in the scriptures…

(Ezekiel 38:13)

Saudi Arabia bombs Iran-backed rebels in Yemen

Yemen's crisis is getting worse and then some. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have started bombing rebel positions inside Yemen. The Sunni Kingdom added that it would do "anything necessary" to deter the Iran-backed Shiite rebels who are taking over Yemen and trying to oust US-backed President Abd Rabbah Mansur Hadi. A Saudi source told Reuters that ground troops might be needed in Yemen to "restore order." Saudi Arabia is reportedly contributing as many as 150,000 troops and 100 warplanes to the campaign against the Houthis. And Saudi allies might be joining the ground fight as well — a Pakistani official said the country is considering Saudi Arabia's request to send troops to Yemen, and Egypt, Jordan, and Sudan are also reportedly ready to help with a ground operation, according to Reuters.

Business Insider, March 26, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth:

The situation in Yemen has the potential to spiral into war in the Middle East. In effect Yemen is a Sunni led country as is Saudi Arabia and the other small Arab states on the Arabian peninsula. Iran however is led by Shia’s. Shia’s hate the Sunni’s. Both Sunni and Shia are different branches of the Muslim religion. Iran wants to dominate the Middle East so is trying to change the Sunni led countries around Saudi Arabia into Shia led ones. It is using rebels to bring terror and carnage to Yemen. Saudi Arabia will not let a Shia government into its backyard so is bombing the rebels in Yemen. It has also threatened to send in troops. Iran is protesting at this. The stakes are high. We may wonder where conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia is mentioned. The answer is in Isaiah 21. Elam and and Media are Iran. They besiege the “desert of the sea”. This is a reference to Saudi Arabia. This coming war is one of the birth pains….

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 21:1-3)

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Saudi oil flow at risk as Mid-East conflagration spreads

Saudi Arabia’s escalating intervention in Yemen is a high-stakes gamble that risks back-firing in a series of complex ways, ultimately endangering Saudi oil infrastructure and the security of global energy supply. Military analysts say there is little chance that air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition of Sunni countries will subjugate the Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. It may require a full-blown invasion by land forces to secure control. Large concentrations of Saudi armour and artillery are already massing near the border, though this may simply be a negotiating ploy. The longer the conflict goes on, the greater the risks that it will stir up internal hatred in a country that has traditionally been relatively free of sectarian violence. Adam Baron, from the European Council on Foreign Relations, said the inflammatory comments about the Sunni-Shia struggle by politicians across the region are becoming “self-fulfilling prophecies”.

Daily Telegraph, March 30, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The burden upon Arabia. …For they fled from the swords, from the drawn sword, and from the bent bow, and from the grievousness of war. For thus hath the Lord said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of an hireling, and all the glory of Kedar [Saudi Arabia] shall fail:

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 21:13-16)

At the same time the world thinks they are on the brink of peace with one of the key nations on the so called “axis of evil” ie Iran - we see the smoulderings of war in the Middle East. Yemen is a small country at the base of the Arabian peninsula. Yemen is part of Saudi Arabia’s sphere of influence. Iran (arch enemy of Saudi Arabia) is now meddling in Yemen using rebels loyal to them called the Houthis. Over 500 people have been killed in the last 2 weeks. The rebels seized the palace of the President of Yemen this week. Saudi Arabia who has been bombing the rebels has now threatened to send in ground troops. In effect we are seeing the start of a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Yemen. This brings risks to oil flows to the world if it spreads as reported.

The Bible speaks in Isaiah 21 of 3 burdens. The burden of the desert of the sea and the burden of Arabia. They speak of latter day Saudi Arabia and a coming war with

Iran.…

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US 'will not stand by' as Tehran backs Yemen rebels

The United States will not stand by while Iran provides support to Shia rebels who have seized much of Yemen, Secretary of State John Kerry said on Wednesday. "There have been – there are, obviously – flights coming from Iran. Every single week there are flights from Iran and we've traced it and know this," Kerry told PBS television in an interview. "Iran needs to recognise that the United States is not going to stand by while the region is destabilised or while people engage in overt warfare across lines, international boundaries in other countries.” A US-backed coalition of largely Sunni Muslim countries led by Saudi Arabia has been waging an air campaign against the Huthi rebels in a bid to restore the authority of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Daily Telegraph, April 9, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Desert of the sea = Saudi Arabia

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 21:13-16)

America has suddenly shifted from positive statements about the nuclear deal to making threats against Iran. Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter said Saturday: “We have the capability to shut down, set back and destroy the Iranian nuclear program and I believe the Iranians know that and understand that.” Iranian media headlines screamed: US Secretary of Defence Ashton Carter has threatened Tehran with war. So what’s going on? Well Iran has decided to cause big trouble on its arch enemy’s border. It has stirred up trouble using Houthi rebels loyal to Iran in Yemen. The conflict there is getting worse by the day. Iran has sent 2 warships to the gulf of Aden opposite Yemen’s coast. Saudi Arabia continues to bomb the rebels in Yemen. America is a close ally of Saudi Arabia and is therefore very concerned about what Iran is doing. The Bible says that at the time Iran does a treacherous deal they will go up and besiege Saudi Arabia. It is one of the 10 burdens that all come at the time of end - all

lead to Armageddon…

Medes – IranElam in Iran

Saudi Arabia – Desert of the sea Persian Gulf

Saudi-Iran rivalry over Yemen deepens

Saudi Arabia's government insists it is not at war with Iran despite its three-week air campaign against Tehran-backed rebels in Yemen, but the kingdom's powerful clerics, and its regional rival's theocratic government, are increasingly presenting the conflict as part of a region-wide battle for the soul of Islam. The toxic rivalry between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran is playing out on the battlefields of Yemen and Syria, and in the dysfunctional politics of Iraq and Lebanon, with each side resorting to sectarian rhetoric. Iran and its allies refer to all of their opponents as terrorists and extremists, while Saudi Arabian clerics speak of a regional Persian menace. But even if today's power struggle has more to do with politics than religion, the unleashing of increasingly sectarian rhetoric on both sides has empowered extremists and made the region's multiplying conflicts even more intractable.

Associated Press, April 16, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

The burden of the desert of the sea. As whirlwinds in the south pass through; so it cometh from the desert, from a terrible land. A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease. Elam and Media = Iran

BIBLEQUOTE

(Isaiah 21:1-2)

As the article says, the Middle East has many intractable conflicts and they are worsening. There are intractable problems in Syria, in Iraq / ISIS, between Israel and the Palestinians, between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The word intractable means impossible to cope with, uncontrollable, out of hand. The Bible talks of 10 “burdens” that lead up to the time of trouble such as never was. The word burden means “a source of great worry or stress”. These 10 burdens begin in Isaiah 13 and conclude with worldwide judgement in Isaiah 24. These 10 intractable national nightmares that cause worldwide worry are… Babylon (Iraq) Ch13/14, Moab (Jordan) Ch15/16, Damascus (Syria) Ch17, Ethiopia (Sudan) Ch18, Egypt Ch19, Elam (Iran), Arabia (Saudi Arabia) Ch21, Jerusalem Ch22. All these have become burdens…

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Iran says warships at entrance to key Yemen strait

Two Iranian destroyers, sent to the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial ships, have reached the entrance of Bab el-Mandab, a strategic strait between Yemen and In another sign of tensions between Gulf rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, the Saudi charge d'affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran to hear a "strong protest" over Saudi military action which prevented an Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa. "We are present in the Gulf of Aden in accordance with international regulations to ensure the safety of commercial ships of our country against the threat of pirates," said the head of the Iranian navy, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayari, quoted by the official IRNA news agency. The navy has sent the Alborz and Bushehr destroyers to patrol the entrance to the strait, he added.

AFP, April 30, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba, and Dedan [Saudi Arabia / Yemen], and the merchants of Tarshish [US/UK], 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?

BIBLEQUOTE

Another hot spot in the world continues to be Yemen. Yemen is a small country at the south of the Arabian peninsula. It comes under the sphere of influence of Saudi Arabia. There is however a power struggle going on in the Middle East. Iran (Shia Muslim) wants to be the major power. Saudi Arabia (Sunni Muslim) wants to be the major power.So Iran is using Shia rebels in Yemen to try and seize control there. This is causing trouble for Saudi Arabia in its own backyard. This week Saudi forces repelled a major attack from inside Yemen, Saudi officials said. America accused Iran of a “provocative” act on Tuesday after the Revolutionary Guard Corps seized a Danish-owned cargo ship in the Gulf. So the tensions are rising. The Bible speaks of Saudi Arabia being on the side of America and Britain at the time of the end. It also speaks of Iran being on the side of Russia. We have seen Russia arming Iran. We have seen America arming Saudi Arabia. The Yemen crisis is another potential showdown between the two…

(Ezekiel 38:13)

Saudi Arabia used to bark – now it bites

In the 30 years since Britain first negotiated the al-Yamamah arms deal with Saudi Arabia, the general assumption has been that this country was by far the main beneficiary of the multi-billion-pound agreement. Once called “the biggest British sale ever of anything to anyone". The complex negotiations committed Britain to equip the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) with more than 100 Tornado fighter aircraft, as well as 50 Hawk trainers. And any qualms politicians and businessmen alike may have entertained about selling arms to one of the world’s most conservative regimes were easily overcome by the belief that there was little prospect of the Saudis ever using their fleet of sophisticated warplanes in anger. But now, thanks to the recent escalation in the conflict in neighbouring Yemen, the traditional assumption that Saudi Arabia’s multi-billion-pound defence procurement programme was simply an expensive insurance policy to deter potential aggressors, such as Iran, has been turned on its head.

Daily Telegraph, May 5, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

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?

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:13)

2500 years ago the Bible clearly linked Britain with Saudi Arabia. It did so in Ezekiel 38 which speaks of an opposing force to the Russian force that invades Israel. The opposing force is Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish. Sheba and Dedan is modern Saudi Arabia and Tarshish is Britain. They are not part of the Russia invasion but do question what Russia is doing. In Daniel 11:40 to the end of the chapter this UK/UK/Saudi power bloc is referred to as the king of the south. Why? Because they are based SOUTH of Israel, whereas Russia is based NORTH of Israel and hence is called the king of the north. Iran is also mentioned being on the side of Russia in Ezekiel 38. Saudi Arabia v Iran therefore is part of the build-up to the final conflict..

Israel and Saudi present united front over Iran deal

The nuclear deal with Iran caused fury in Israel and consternation around the region at the likely increase in influence and resources of a newly enriched Iran. Most telling was the loudest expression of support. "I am happy that the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved a great victory by reaching an agreement," President Bashar al-Assad of Syria said in a message to his Iranian opposite number, Hassan Rouhani."In the name of the Syrian people, I congratulate you and the people of Iran on this historic achievement.” Israel and the Sunni Arab world have set aside old grievances to stand together against the West’s engagement with Iran. Saudi officials have previously voiced fears that increasing rapprochement between Washington and Tehran could eventually lead to Iran supplanting Saudi Arabia as America's main ally in the Persian Gulf.

Daily Telegraph,, July 14, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

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? Sheba and Dedan = Saudi Arabia. Part of the opposing force to the Russia/ Iranian invasion. America is weak as it can only ask what Russia is doing!

Israel and Saudi Arabia both see Iran as a huge threat. This deal in effect releases billions of dollars that have been locked away due to sanctions. The fear is that Iran could use this enormous war chest of money to further fund its proxy armies in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza. Israel sees the nuclear deal as actually making it more likely that Iran will one day get the bomb. Saudi Arabia sees its close relationship with America being severely undermined as the US has befriended its greatest enemy. The fact the the Assad regime is so delighted by this deal should ring warning bells to the world.What this deal does is bring Israel and Saudi Arabia closer together. It emboldens Iran and its allies - all of whom are enemies of Israel. Finally it weakens American authority in the region. The 3 elements are all detailed out in the scriptures.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:13)

No crisis in relations between Saudi Arabia and UK

The relationship between the two countries serves the interests of Britain, says the Foreign Secretary, hoping to reassure Riyadh of the Government's continued support.Philip Hammond has denied there is a crisis in relations between Britain and Saudi Arabia despite a row over human rights and a cancelled bid for a prison contract.The Foreign Secretary told The Telegraph the relationship was "vital" and in British interests, including security interests. He was speaking in Bahrain after visiting Riyadh on what was billed as an attempt to reassure the ruling family of Britain's continuing support in the face of Saudi outrage at recent attacks on the country over its human rights record. Mr Hammond had an audience with King Salman and also met his nephew, the Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef.

Daily Telegraph, November 1, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, We see in the report above how important Saudi Arabia is to Britain. It is about money and security. Also America has 5 airforce bases in Saudi Arabia.

BIBLEQUOTE

(Ezekiel 38:13)

Britain is part of the king of the south mentioned in Daniel 11. But how can this be? Britain is hardly south of Israel. And…the original king of the south were the Ptolemy's based in Egypt. So how do we get from Egypt in the south to Britain in the north? Surely this doesn’t make sense… The answer is given in Ezekiel 38. It tells us who the NEW king of the north is and the NEW king of the south is. The new king of the north is Russia. The ancient king of the north is Syria. Syria comes to an end hence the shift to a new king of the north. The ancient king of the south was Egypt. Egypt has lost its power so it shifts to a new king of the south. Ezekiel 38 tells us the new king of the south is Sheba and Dedan. This describes modern Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. South of Israel. But with them are the merchants of Tarshish and the young lions. Tarshish is Britain. Young lions are the offspring of Britain. US / Australia etc.

Russia is battening down the hatches for a Biblical collapse in oil revenues, warning that crude prices could stay as low as $40 a barrel for another seven years.Maxim Oreshkin, the deputy finance minister, said the country is drawing up plans based on a price band fluctuating between $40 to $60 as far out as 2022, a scenario that would have devastating implications for Opec. Russia’s $40 warning is the latest escalation in a game of strategic brinkmanship between the Kremlin and Saudi Arabia, already at daggers drawn over Syria. The Russian contingency plans convey a clear message to Riyadh and to Opec’s high command that the country can withstand very low oil prices indefinitely, thanks to a floating rouble that protects the internal budget.Whether Russia really can withstand the strain for years is an open question. The economy is in deep recession. The latest gambit may in reality be a negotiating ploy.

Daily Telegraph, December 11, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba, and Dedan [Saudi Arabia], and the merchants of Tarshish [UK ], with all the young lions [US /Canada] thereof, shall say unto thee [Gog/Putin], Art thou come to take a spoil? This verse describes the 2 opposing forces. The showdown between Russia and Saudi is part of this and will lead to Russia descending into the Middle East for a spOIL.

BIBLEQUOTE

Behind the scenes this really is a huge news story. What’s happening is this. Saudi Arabia has been busy supporting and arming rebels who oppose Assad. Russia as we know is busy attacking these rebels because they support Assad. So Saudi and Russia are on opposite sides of the Syrian conflict. Saudi though has a weapon against Russia. OIL. Their leaders know how dependent Russia is on oil. Russia needs oil to be above $100 to break even. At $40 a barrel they cannot balance the books and need to cutback massively on spending money. So Saudi Arabia has literally flooded the world with oil. So much so they are running out of places in the world to store it! This has driven down the price of oil to levels not seen for many years. Russia is really hurting. But Russia is trying to bluff their way out by pretending they can survive on low prices for years. But they can’t. Ezekiel 38 talks about Russia and Saudi being enemies.

Russian showdown with Saudi intensifies over oil

(Ezekiel 38:13)

Projecting its ambition for regional leadership, Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it has lined up most of the Arab world, NATO member Turkey and several African and Asian countries behind a vaguely defined "Islamic military alliance" against terrorists. The move allows the kingdom, which follows a deeply conservative interpretation of Islam, to cast itself as a leader in the fight against extremism. But absent from the alliance are the Shiite-led countries of Iran and Iraq, as well as Syria, whose government is backed by Tehran. And that omission raises questions about whether the 34-member bloc is primarily intended to present a unified front against extremists — or to also serve as a Sunni deterrent to Iran, Saudi Arabia's main regional rival. Riyadh supports rebels fighting to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad and has been leading an Arab coalition against Iran-supported Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen since March.

Associated Press, December 15, 2015

EVENT

COMMENT

Sheba, and Dedan [Saudi Arabia], and the merchants of Tarshish [UK ], with all the young lions [US /Canada] thereof, shall say unto thee [Gog/Putin], Art thou come to take a spoil? This verse describes the 2 opposing forces. Saudi Arabia is first on the list as it is the driving force of the king of the south but supported by Britain / US.

BIBLEQUOTE

Saudi Arabia is seeking to counter Iran’s influence in the Middle East. Ever since America brought Iran in from the cold by doing a deal with them over nuclear weapons, Saudi Arabia has been working to increase its influence. Saudi Arabia and Iran are sworn enemies. Saudi is Sunni Muslim. Iran is Shia. The full list of nations in this alliance are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Jordan, Tunisia, Yemen, the Palestinians, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Benin, Chad, Togo, Djibouti, Senegal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Gabon, Guinea, Comoros, Ivory Coast, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Nigeria. No Iran. We are told in Ezekiel 38 about the opposing force to Russia/Iran. The first nation on the list of the opposing force is Sheba. Sheba is modern day Saudi Arabia! The king of the south power headed up by Saudi Arabia is coming together…

Saudi Arabia creates Islamic bloc to fight terror groups

(Ezekiel 38:13)