Hey Starry,
Hm, I'm thinking this....
Some people prefer to look for God/dess in a book. Some people don't need any God/dess. Some are content if not thrilled with nothing divine.
Some people don't need a book at all. They can find answers as to what they consider Divine or Deity in nature. Rather then being seperate from the Divine or Deity, they find a peaceful coexistance with him/her.
Looking at the flow of life in the world around us yields so many answers. For me, it has given me more answers that make sense to me.
I think sometimes, we can read the Bible front to back and hunt for the clues that tell us of the end times, but miss out on the riches of what is around us. I think that many answers are to be found in our own spirits.
Think of this:
You mentioned about Ishmael and the Muslims etc and the nations....
Then perhaps the Koran might yield clues or the various writings of the eastern philosophers, that are Just as Inspired as the Bible. Because if God never left and remains with those of other religions, then those writings Must be inspired and would have to mesh with the writings of the Bible.
What do you think Starry?
g'night
meagie