Sudan is one of the regions mentioned as being a future participant in the Gog-Magog war. (Cush, Ezekiel 38:5). And, anything happening in the so-called 'epicenter' is worthy of note. As Joel C. Rosenberg's Facebook page states, he "tracks geopolitical and spiritual events and trends in Israel and throughout the Middle East". We call this region the epicenter because all historical-to-prophetic events important to God arise from this region, especially Israel.
The Washington Post reported on December 23, "The world’s newest country is already on the brink of civil war. Here’s how it happened."
"It was considered one of the world's great successes when, on July 9, 2011, South Sudan became an independent nation. After many unhappy years as a region of Sudan, the new country declared its independence with crucial support from the outside world, particularly the United States."
"Now, less than two and a half years later, South Sudan appears to be on the verge of a potential civil war. Since an alleged coup attempt Dec. 15 (it probably wasn't really a coup), fighting between rebels and government forces has killed at least 500, injured four U.S. troops and left entire cities disputed. As of this writing, the South Sudan army says it's preparing to attack rebel groups who've taken control of oil-producing regions. How did this happen?"
The report goes on to enumerate four reasons, and explains them in easy to understand terms.
The BBC reports this morning, "South Sudan crisis: Kenya and Ethiopia leaders in Juba for talks"
"The leaders of two of South Sudan's neighbours, Kenya and Ethiopia, have arrived in the capital, Juba, in an attempt to halt fighting there. Thousands of people are feared dead in violence that began 11 days ago and has raised fears of a civil war. President Salva Kiir was seen going into talks with Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday."
There is oil in S. Sudan...
"Fears are intensifying that South Sudan is on the verge of full civil war, and that the country's estimated 250,000 b/d of oil production could be put at risk as a result. Hundreds of oil workers are flying out of South Sudan as former vice president Riak Machar claims his rebel forces have seized control of the oil-rich Unity state, which can produce some 45,000 b/d of oil." (source)
The United States was hit while trying to evacuate personnel:
"Gunfire hit three US military aircraft trying to evacuate American citizens in a remote region of South Sudan that on Saturday became a battle ground between the country's military and renegade troops, officials said. Four US service members were wounded in the attack in the same region where gunfire downed a UN helicopter the day before." (source)
CBS reports that U.N. Investigators Find Mass Graves In South Sudan but then later the UN denied there was a mass grave of 75 bodies and revised the death toll downward to 34 with 75 missing. The fog of war... And how many people have to die and be buried together before they call it a 'mass grave'?
The US is sending troops to South Sudan in anticipation they may be needed to respond to the violence, as well as the UN "increase in peacekeepers in a bid to rein in South Sudan's ethnic violence."
Here is a chart of the modern names of the ancient nations named in Ezekiel's prophecy of a future regional war: (Ezekiel 37-38).
So that is the unfortunate news. More strife in the Middle East, more deaths and eternal destinies cemented forever. More inching toward the moment when it will all break out as Ezekiel and the other prophets have said. Prophecy is sure, so it will happen, perhaps on our watch or perhaps on another generation's. I feel it will be us who sees the final eruptions begin even as we are whisked homeward by the call of our Savior.
