The Crude Awakening

“The total world oil supply in 2006 was exceeded by the total world petroleum consumption beginning in 2005” – Energy Statistics (United States).

Did you catch that? Let me reword it simpler. Conserve!

Our dependence on foreign oil has become a major concern – especially since the oil lies under the control of nations we have tensions or hostile relationships with. Paul Roberts addressed this concern in his book, The End of Oil: On the Edge of a Perilous New World. Perhaps the greatest casualty of the Iraq war may be the very idea of energy security:

But with the continuing fiasco in Iraq, it is now clear that even the most powerful military entity in world history cannot stabilize a country at will or “make it” produce oil simply by sending in soldiers and tanks. In other words, since the Iraqi invasion, the oil market now understands that the United States cannot guarantee the security of oil supplies – for itself or for anyone else. That new and chilling knowledge, as much as anything else, explains the high price of oil.

According to Roberts, our ability to protect our foreign oil inflow is limited at best. Even if we commit to use brutal military force, as the Carter doctrine says we are ready to do, we cannot ensure an endless supply of oil from hostile countries.

Is There Any Oil in Israel?

It will help, of course. But that depends on how much oil Israel can supply. Former prime minister Golda Meir jokingly said “Let me tell you something we Israelis have against Moses. He took us forty years into the desert in order to bring us to the one place in the Middle East that has no oil”.

Going back to the bible, prophet Ezekiel (36:11) prophesied a time when God will prosper Israel more than its early beginnings.  How could Israel ever be more prosperous than the days of King Solomon? According to the bible, during his reign, Israel’s wealth was the wonder and envy of the known ancient world. Yet according to the prophet Ezekiel, God is telling Israel that at some time in the future, she will be wealthier than before.

In an internet article WorldNet Daily:

Aaron Klein asked this question: “Is Israel sitting on an enormous oil reserve mapped out in the Old Testament that when found will immediately change the geopolitical structure of the Middle East and confirm the validity of the Bible to people around the world?”

John Brown, an evangelical Christian and founder and chairman of Zion Oil and Gas, believes that there is indeed oil in Israel. He is certain that several biblical passages indicate where rich deposits might be found. He cites two passages “Let Asher be blessed . . . and let him dip his foot in oil” (Deuteronomy 33:24 KJV). “Joseph is . . . a fruitful bough by a well . . . Blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath . . . shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head.” (Genesis 49:22-26 NKJV).

Brown’s explanation of why these passages indicate the presence of oil is fascinating. He says that maps of the territory allotted to the twelve tribes when they entered Palestine show that the shape of Asher’s area resembles a giant foot. That foot is “dipped” into the top, or “crown” area belonging to the land given to the tribe of Joseph’s son Manasseh. “The oil is there,” Brown asserts, “where Joseph’s head is met by Asher’s foot.” And Brown is willing to put his money where his mouth is. According to the article, in 2007, his company was granted two extended licenses for approximately 162,100 acres that include the Joseph and Asher-Manasseh areas, which Brown believes contain oil.

In spite of the tantalizing possibilities of oil in Israel, it has not yet been found. This means we must continue to deal with reality, that the oil we use is hostile. So how does the oil situation affect our future?

The Emergence of Prophetic Alliances

The book of Ezekiel foretold a time when Russia would attack Israel. In detailing how the military aggression would take place; the prophet listed a coalition of some of the nations that would join with Russia in the attack.

I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords. Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet” (38:4-5)

Now we all know from history that until 1935, Persia was the official name of the country we now call IRAN. Now we all know from the news that IRAN is now enriching Uranium to weapons grade. But not once in the past twenty-five hundred years has Russia formed a solid military connection with Persia/Iran, not up until now.

These two nations have formed a military alliance that continues to be strengthened by the political situation in our world. In fact, Russia recently signed a billion-dollar deal to sell missiles and other weaponry to Iran (and this was no secret).  Joel C. Rosenberg, former aid to Israeli prime minister  Benjamin Netanyahu, points out: “Over 1000 Iranian nuclear scientists have been trained in Russia by senior Russian scientists.”

Here is an end-time alliance that was prophesied twenty-five hundred years ago by a prophet, and the last five years has become a reality. Obviously, the stage is being set.

The Emergence of Petroleum Alliances

The issue of oil becomes more and more critical with each passing year, for Western democracies in general, and for Israel in particular. What we are seeing is a confluence of several negative factors and processes in the region. . . A huge percentage of the world’s oil reserves . . . is found in the possession of powers not friendly to the West or to Israel. (Omer Selah – Israel Fuel Authority)

It’s funny, the wealth of these few oil-producing nations is growing at such an exponential rate that they are “struggling” to find ways to invest their money. Have you ever had a time when you become undecided where to spend your money? Are you going to put them in stocks? Start a new business venture? Save them in banks to earn interest?  How about finance a secret military? Yes?

Muslims consider this kind of wealth to be a gigantic weapon with the blessing of Allah. As author Don Richardson puts it:

“Muslim strategists ask their followers, why do we find in these modern times that Allah has entrusted most of the world’s oil wealth primarily to Muslim nations? Their answer: Allah foresaw Islam’s need for funds to finance a final politico-religious victory over what Islam perceives as its ultimate enemy: Christianized Euro-American civilization.”

Another New York Times article headlines in the spring of 2002, “Iranian Urges Muslims to Use Oil as a Weapon.” In this article, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is quoted as having said:

The oil belongs to the people and can be used as a weapon against the West and those who support the savage regime of Israel . . . If Islamic and Arab countries . . . for only one month suspend the export of oil to Israel and its supporter, the world would be shaken.

Do you remember those emails that spread around telling us to boycott one type of Gas (say Mobil) for one day or one month so that the price could drop? Well, it has a Muslim origin.

By now, it should be clear to us that America’s ride on the crest of wealth and power faces unprecedented threats from newly rich, newly united Middle Eastern countries that have no love for us. Many of them would love to see us reduced to the ashes.

So What Are We to Do?

We wait. Jesus told His disciples that just as you can tell that summer is near when the fig tree puts forth leaves, you can also tell that the Son of Man is returning by recognizing the signs given by the prophets (Matthew 24:32). So we wait. There’s nothing we can do to hasten His coming. No man knows exactly when the Lord will return (Matthew 24:36), but by the signs we can discern the season of His coming.

Keep on working. Jesus said “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). So the key in pleasing the Lord in these last days is to continue your work diligently at what God has called you to do. So know what you are called to do!

Keep on watching. Southern evangelist Vance Havner gives us the real key to keeping to our task and finding joy in the face of impending doom:

“We are not just looking for something to happen, we are looking for Someone to come! And when these things begin to come to pass, we are not to drop our heads in discouragement, or shake our heads in despair, but we are to lift our hearts in delight”.

2/11/2010 6pm Los Angeles, CA