Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott recently made a surprise trip to Afghanistan to ceremonially end Australia’s involvement in the war. The trip highlighted the volatility of the region despite years of occupation by the International Security Assistance Force (isaf).

From the war’s outset in 2001, Australia quickly took a stand alongside the United States against terror in Afghanistan. Deploying over 20,000 troops since the beginning of the war, Australia has proved a stalwart ally throughout the occupation. But it has not been without cost. Forty Australians have been killed since the war began, and 260 injured.

After such sacrifice, it’s discouraging that the mission cannot be considered a success. Australia and its allies have not been victorious.

Consider how Tony Abbott arrived. Flying to the Australian-operated Tarin Kowt air base in a C-17 and protected by U.S. Apache attack helicopters, Abbott wore body armor and a helmet. Once off the plane, Abbott was immediately surrounded by special forces, bodyguards, infantry and Royal Australian Air Force personnel. Snipers scanned the perimeters as Abbott was hurriedly ushered indoors. Hardly the picture of a victor.

This was for the ceremony ending Australia’s involvement. The size of the security forces that were needed for protection speak louder than the hollow words assuring Australian soldiers that their duty to the Afghans is over.

In 2002, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry wrote about the war on terror: “Our war on terrorism is a defensive war—and ‘a simple defensive in war is ruin.’ The way we are fighting terrorism leads to catastrophe!”

War has catastrophic results when fought on the back foot. While the Australian forces may have entered the war proactively, after 12 years, the weight appears to have shifted to the heels.

Tony Abbot agrees. While at the base, he said the war was ending, “Not with victory, not with defeat, but with, we hope, an Afghanistan that is better for our presence here.”

No victory here—so says the prime minister of Australia. Of course, this is stating the obvious.

The prime minister couldn’t even state confidently that Afghanistan was better now than it had been before the war. His statement had to be prefaced with “we hope.”

We all want a better Afghanistan—a safer, law-abiding Afghanistan. But look at reality. The Taliban is bolder than ever, and violence is increasing as security forces withdraw. The 12-year track record in Afghanistan speaks for itself. Would Abbott need an immense security entourage if the nation was “better”?

“Our armed forces and our officials have done their duty. That duty never ends, although our duty here has,'’ Abbott said.

Australia’s withdrawal echoes the sentiments of many Western nations that are tired of fighting a battle they seem unable to win. What many don’t realize is that Australia’s withdrawal has less to do with its duty being fulfilled than with prophecy being fulfilled.

In the book of Leviticus, God promises great blessings for the Israelites that obey Him and live by His commandments. The modern nations of Israel include Australia, as a part of the tribe of Ephraim. (Order a free copy of The United States and Britain in Prophecy for a thorough understanding of the subject.) The flip side of those promised blessings from God are the curses for disobedience.

Leviticus 26:19-20 speak of breaking the pride of Israel’s power and letting its strength be spent in vain. There is no pride in the power of a nation that flees from a war it has been engaged in for 12 years.

Obviously, these curses are not a pleasant subject—neither is the seemingly hopeless situation in Afghanistan. But a positive light exists in this gloomy scenario. The downfall of Israel is foretold as part of a broader scheme of events that culminate in the return of Christ. With this in mind, you can understand the real reason why nations such as Australia are not winning their battles and see for yourself how close we are to the incredible Second Coming.