THE NEAR FUTURE?

The President of the United States emerged from the Oval Office looking as if the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders. Having been inaugurated as the nation's 45th President a mere three weeks ago, President Jacobsen was now ever mindful of the tremendous task that lay before him him as leader of the free world. The grave decision he would soon announce to a worldwide audience of friend and foe would not be a pleasant one, yet it was a course of action for which there was no alternative.

The President was a combat veteran having served with the Fifth Marine Regiment during the first Gulf War. He knew full well the awful circumstances of war and had observed more than his share of mangled bodies and the loss of life that necessarily accompanies conflict. The thought of sending brave young men into the searing heat of battle greatly troubled the Commander-in-Chief, but it was a responsibility that fell squarely upon his shoulders. In reality, the weight of the world truly did rest upon his actions.

In the volatile area known as the Middle East, the nation of Israel had always been a staunch, reliable ally of the United States. In fact, she was America's only ally in the region and now, with Iranian nuclear missiles pointed her way, the Jewish state needed her American friends more than ever. Within moments of speaking to the American President on a secure video feed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with his cabinet members, readied themselves for the ominous events soon to unfold.

It was 8:00 P.M. eastern time in the U.S. Several thousand miles away in the Iranian capital of Teheran the clock chimed exactly 3:00 A.M. amidst a quiet stillness that engulfed the land. An eerie breeze began to waft along the arid landscape of drought-stricken Iran. Little was known, from America's perspective, of the Islamic nation's intelligence capabilities, or lack thereof. The CIA had been gutted during the Clinton years and had not received the financial or human resources it needed during ensuing administrations. Israeli operatives, however, were adamant in their threat assessment of Iran's nuclear weapons arsenal and diabolical intentions. With that in mind President Jacobsen was determined another Jewish holocaust would not happen on his watch.

Television networks along with cable and satellite, much to the dismay of the pleasure-seeking American populace, broke into regular programming to broadcast the breaking news. Suddenly, President Jacobsen, looking grim yet determined, appeared before the TV cameras, his demeanor captivating the now-interested millions in his audience.

"My fellow Americans," the President began, "tonight I have ordered the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army to establish combat-ready positions at the border between Iraq and her Iranian neighbors."

Looks of bewilderment sprawled across the faces of Americans and astonishment echoed from one nation to another. The question on everyone's mind was if the dreaded but anticipated nuclear confrontation with Iran was about to begin?

"Furthermore," President Jacobsen stated, "U.S. Naval warships along with a number of aircraft carriers are in the Persian Gulf region as I speak. Our intelligence confirms the presence of Iranian nuclear missiles at strategic locations inside Iran and I have ordered continual airstrikes on these nuclear installations in order to obliterate the menacing threat, not only to our friends in Israel, but also to the United States of America."

"America cannot stand idly by and allow the Jewish people to be annihilated by means of another holocaust," the President continued. "Additional ground combat units will be deployed into the combat theater as the need exists or until President Achmedinejad surrenders to American or Israeli authorities and his military capabilities rendered incapable of further operations. Please pray for our brave men and women in uniform who, tonight, heroically forge their mark in our nation's glorious and rich history. May God grant them a speedy victory and may God bless the United States of America."

With his shocking words ended, President Jacobsen retreated to his war room at an undisclosed location below the White House. Millions of people remained glued to cable news outlets throughout the night, sleep not being an option. Stock markets were sure to plummet worldwide as oil prices skyrocketed. Wall Street, having rid itself of its recent protesters, now entertained certain fears of crashing as uncertainty gripped the air. Muslim nations, as expected, violently demonstrated in the streets, pledging a bloody revenge against the "Great Satan," America. Tensions soared in Jerusalem as the inevitable invasion of Iran to eliminate her nuclear arsenal had begun.

"Mr. President, Mr. President, are you awake?" came the voice of a trusted friend inside the President's bedroom. President Jacobsen, somewhat startled at being awakened from an unbelievable nightmare, slowly pulled the sheets from his body and sat upright in bed, unsure at the moment of his location.

"Yes, Yes, I am awake, Bob," said the President to his Chief of Staff. "For a moment there I was in another world," the President sighed.

(But is this another world or the world we are about to embark upon? Pray that God would give our leaders wisdom and pray for the peace and protection of Israel. Jesus is coming soon! Thanks for reading.)