The Kings of the East in Biblical Prophecy and the Clash of Civilizations

In Green, Arab World

The Biblical pointer to the Kings of the East (Rev.16:12) arising in the last days has been often interpreted as fulfilled in the rise of the far-east nations such as China and Japan, but while Sinim (China) has been used once in Isaiah 49:12, the phrase "of the east" in the Bible usually refers to the nations of Iraq, Iran, and Arabia; no doubt, these are the nations where beheadings are most prominent, and these are also the avowed enemies of Israel.

Sam Huntington's "Clash of Civilizations" may not be baseless after all, though he has identified at least 3 blocks, the Asiatic, the Islamic, and the Western.

But, it seems more cogent that "of the east" refers to the Islamic nations where not only Israel is hated but also conversion to Christianity is a death-penalty.

Yet, the phrase doesn't rule out any far-eastern nation that is averse to the Christian faith and is anti-semitic as well, for "east" remains "east" of Israel after all. Also, "of the east" doesn't mean "Islamic" only, though the signs indicate they are the only ones who would first wish the elimination of Israel above all.

Also note that the Arab countries in the present time, post-Islamic invasions, aren't just places east of Israel.

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References
Gen 29:1 Then Jacob went on his journey, and came into the land of the people of the east.
Num 23:7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and come, defy Israel.
Jdg 6:3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
Jdg 6:33 Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
Jdg 7:12 And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
Jdg 8:10 Now Zebah and Zalmunna were in Karkor, and their hosts with them, about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of all the hosts of the children of the east: for there fell an hundred and twenty thousand men that drew sword.
1Ki 4:30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
Job 1:3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
Isa 11:14 But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.
Jer 49:28 Concerning Kedar, and concerning the kingdoms of Hazor, which Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon shall smite, thus saith the LORD; Arise ye, go up to Kedar, and spoil the men of the east.
Eze 25:4 Behold, therefore I will deliver thee to the men of the east for a possession, and they shall set their palaces in thee, and make their dwellings in thee: they shall eat thy fruit, and they shall drink thy milk.
Eze 25:10 Unto the men of the east with the Ammonites, and will give them in possession, that the Ammonites may not be remembered among the nations.
Dan 11:44 But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.
Rev 16:12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.