Islamic State (10) Saudi Arabia

At this time, the most influential nation in the Middle East is Saudi Arabia. It has a tiny population, compared to Iran and Egypt, but its massive oil reserves have given it influence beyond its size. Saudi Arabia has become an important ally of the United States. In return for pumping oil to keep prices down, Saudi Arabia has been able to accumulate a massive arsenal of United States produced weapons.

This alliance is strange, because Saudi Arabia is the home of the Wahhabi sect, which is the most virulent and violent form of Islam of all. Saudi Arabia has used it petro-dollars to export this harsh form of Islam all over the world. Regular beheadings in Saudi Arabia are ignored by American media (42 this year). It is currently providing financial support to the Islamic State.

There is nothing in the scriptures to indicate that Saudi Arabia is dominated by a powerful principality or power in the spiritual realms. Without one behind it, the kingdom will not last. The only significant prophecy about Saudi Arabia is in Isaiah 21:13-16. This prophecy warns that Arabia will be attacked by the bow and the sword.

They flee from the sword,
from the drawn sword,
from the bent bow
and from the heat of battle (Is 21:15).

The primary bowman is Iran. The sword represents the Spirit of Assyria (Is 8:20). I presume that when the Islamic State grows stronger, it will eventually push into Saudi Arabia. The House of Saud is seen as idolatrous by most serious Moslems, so it the obvious target for the Islamic State.

This is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a servant bound by contract would count it, all the splendor of Kedar will come to an end (Is 21:16).

The south-eastern province of Saudi Arabia has a large Shia population who have been treated badly by the Saudi princes. They do much of the work in the oil fields for poor returns and no political freedom. If the Islamic State invaded Saudi Arabia, Iran might invade the Shia regions to protect the Shia people living there. This would give Iran control of some Saudi oil.

Isaiah says that the surviving warriors will be few.

The survivors of the archers, the warriors of Kedar, will be few (Is 21:17).

The huge arsenal of military hardware built up by Saudi Arabia will fall into the hands of the Islamic State.