This email was forwarded to me today and I found it quite interesting and thought provoking. (I have not researched all the scriptual references yet) Therefore I decided to share it with the discussion board...while I do not post often anymore...I still read the board regularly...I would love to hear what you think...especially Professor Dickens..

Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq!

However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

The name Iraq, means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

Here are a few important facts regarding the important history and roles that IRAQ has played down through history: 1. The garden of Eden was in Iraq.

2. Mesopotamia which is now Iraq was the cradle of civilization! 3. Noah built the ark in Iraq. 4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq. 5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq. 6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor which is in Iraq. 7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq. 8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq. 9. Assyria which is in Iraq conquered the ten tribes of Israel. 10. Amos cried out in Iraq. 11. Babylon which is in Iraq destroyed Jerusalem. 12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq. 13. The three Hebrew boys were in the fire in Iraq. 14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq. 15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq. 16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq. 17. The wise men were from Iraq. 18. Peter preached in Iraq. 19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon which was a city in Iraq.

IRAQ AND SCRIPTURE

- Eden was in Iraq--Genesis 2:10-14

- Adam & Eve were created in Iraq--Genesis 2:7-8; Satan made his first recorded appearance in Iraq--Genesis 3:1-6;

- Nimrod established Babylon & Tower of Babel was built in Iraq-Genesis 10:8-97 & 11:1-4;

- The confusion of the languages took place in Iraq--Genesis 11:5-11;

- Abraham came from a city in Iraq--Genesis 11:31 & Acts 7:2-4;

- Isaac's bride came from Iraq--Genesis 24:3-4 & 10;

- Jacob spent 20 years in Iraq--Genesis 27:42-45 & 31:38;

- The first world Empire was in Iraq--Daniel 1:1-2 &2:36-38;

- The greatest revival in history was in a city in Iraq--Jonah 3;

- The events of the book of Esther took place in Iraq--Esther;

- The book of Nahum was a prophecy against a city in Iraq--Nahum;

- The book or Revelation has prophecies against Babylon, which was the old name for the nation of Iraq--Revelation 17 & 18.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2004

Answers

Most of this information is well known to all students of the Bible. Most likely, the oil that is so plentiful in that area is the result of the plant life so abundant in the Garden of Eden. Be Blessed

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2004

And now, Jewish-Satan and his American lackeys have invaded Iraq. The devil needs oil to fuel his machines of war!

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2004

Yo Rusty! Would you prefer Saddam still be in power? We've got him. We could put him back if you like.

-- Anonymous, January 05, 2004

Queen Esther opines -

"...I would love to hear what you think...especially Professor Dickens.."

Well, Queen Esther, thanks for the shout out. You make me feel like I'm on the Tom Joyner Morning Show :-) In all due respect I have my doubts about Iraq having the second highest number of references recorded in the Bible after Israel. I'm almost certain that distinction goes to Egypt. By the way, I spoke to our friend Robin Porter-Smith recently and received a package form our Episcopal candidate and friend Dr. Kenneth Hill. Email me privately, we have to talk about the upcoming General Conference 2004. QED

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2004

Thank you Sister Esther for this very important information. Can anyone on this board think of a scenario that would begin world war III which involves Iraq and Al Quaeda?

Jazzman

-- Anonymous, January 06, 2004

Sister Powers stated, "The book or Revelation has prophecies against Babylon, which was the old name for the nation of Iraq--Revelation 17 & 18."

These are very interesting points about present-day Iraq's place in the Holy Scriptures. Let me point out some information concerning Babylon in the Word of God. God's Word mentions three Babylons: a city (Genesis 11), a church (Revelation 18) and a country Revelation 18. Don't confuse the three by intermingling these chapters. The context of each text identifies who is who. May God Bless!!!

-- Anonymous, January 07, 2004