No Victor/No Vanquished

     As previously mentioned one of president Obama’s foreign policy ideals is that there should be no winners or losers in international conflicts.

     According to his ‘take’ on the present Middle East chaos he will involve the United States only “to the extent that the different communities there agree to an inclusive politics of no victor/nor vanquished.”  In other words he believes that all players are equal, and peace can be achieved if everyone will just get along with his neighbor.

     Regarding the challenges with Putin and Ukraine, President Obama stated that “President Vladimir Putin of Russia could invade Ukraine at any time, and, if he does, trying to find our way back to a cooperative functioning relationship with Russia during the remainder of my term will be much more difficult.”

     By rationalizing the likely catastrophic results of Russia invading another sovereign nation with force, president Obama has revealed his instinctive tendency to strive for political compromise, i.e. to get back to a ‘cooperative functioning’ relationship with Russia, especially while he is still in office. 

     He also applies the no victor/no vanquished philosophy to Israel and the Palestinians. 

     The epitome of naiveté is to think that man can achieve peace among the nations.

     “For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman…” 1 Thessalonians 5:3

     President Obama’s no victor/no vanquished philosophy is not found in the Bible.  The prophet Ezekiel addressed the issue when writing about many of the same players presently involved in the Middle East unrest.

     “…Thus says the Lord GOD: ‘Behold I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.  I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army…Persia (Iran), Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all its troops, the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops – many people are with you.’”  Ezekiel 38:3-6

     The above nations are Middle Eastern or northern African countries.  Notice that God will draw them into Israel for a great battle. 

     “Behold the day of the LORD is coming…for I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem…Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations…”  Zechariah 14:1-3

     Then the question arises, will there be a victor when God draws those nations into Israel for the great battle, or will they all be treated equally and all get along?

     “You shall fall (be slain) upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.  You shall fall on the open field…Then the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.”  Ezekiel 39:4-5, 7b

     There is not much compromise involved in the Battle described above.  There is a clear cut Victor, and He is the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

     The Apostle John in the Book of Revelation further describes the great battle between the nations of the Fertile Crescent and Israel.

     “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.  And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war…Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations.  And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron…”  Revelation 19:1, 15

     The above certainly runs contrary to president Obama’s vision for solving the Middle East question.  Here it states that Christ will ‘make war’.  Then He will strike the nations and rule them ‘with a rod of iron’.  Again Christ is the absolute victor.

     After the great battle the anti-Christ and false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire.  And the fate of those that followed them?

     “And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse.  And all the birds were filled with their flesh.”  Revelation 19:21

    

     So much for no victor/no vanquished.