In today?s Middle East, there are two major Islamic powers striving for power and influence?Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran. This rivalry is tense and fueled by centuries of bitter hatred and competition. This rivalry is evident in Yemen, Iraq and the bitter civil war in Syria. What is the difference between these two branches of Islam? Why does it matter and how important is this difference in understanding today?s complex world?

In 6 days, God called into existence a perfect, harmonious, and fruitful creation over which we, His Image Bearers, are to rule.

The Middle East today is a cauldron of terror, war and utter confusion. The nation states created after World Wars I and II are fragmenting and some have actually ceased to exist (e.g., Syria and Iraq). And in the middle of this cauldron sits Israel?a prosperous democracy, an ally of the United States and a beacon of light in a world of darkness. In this Perspective, I seek to summarize the increasing vulnerability of Israel in the midst of this confusion.

Dr. Eckman begins a study of the Book of Genesis: God, through His Spirit, created the entire universe.

Former US Senator and vice presidential candidate, Joseph Lieberman, has recently observed: ?The simple fact is that there is more instability in the world today than at any time since the end of World War II. . .The absence of American leadership has certainly not caused all the instability, but it has encouraged and exacerbated it.? Lieberman and others have argued as well that with America?s passive role, a vacuum has been created. As with all things, something will fill that vacuum. Consider these facts:

On Friday, 12 February 2016, Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church (representing 1.2 billion Catholics) and Patriarch Krill of the Russian Orthodox Church (representing 150,000 Russian Orthodox Christians) met in a room at the Havana, Cuba airport. This historic meeting was made possible by the maneuverings of Vladimir Putin, who is closely aligned with the conservative Russian Orthodox Church. In a joint declaration issued after their meeting, among other things, they affirmed, ?It is our hope that our meeting may contribute to the re-establishment of this unity willed by God.?

The final 2 chapters of Revelation reveal The New Heaven, the New Earth and the New Jerusalem: God’s promises completely fulfilled.

The binding of Satan, the Lord’s 1000 year reign on Earth, & the Great White Throne judgement.