ISIS is attempting to model “Orthodox Islam,” and Islam says they are a “religion of peace. But we need to understand that they don’t consider peace like a westerner would. They only mean that peace will come after they have conquered the world and all people submit to Allah and Sharia Law. The Koran prescribes violence until then. This is an incredibly important nuance to understand and explain to others. Muslims only tell the world half the story.
Irish Muslim leader, Raied al-Wazzan, who has brought charges against an Irish Pastor who dared preach against Islam had this to say about the city of Mosul in Iraq after ISIS conquered it:
“Mosul is the most peaceful city in the world . . . the Islamic State came to protect a section of society that had been marginalised.” Mind you this is after Jihadists had murdered or expelled all of the city’s 2,000-year-old, 60,000-strong Christian community.
This Muslim leader further stated that Sunni Muslims (who agree with ISIS) could now walk the streets of Mosul without fear. This is the “peace” Muslims claim: totalitarian control and the conversion or murder of Christians and everyone else who doesn’t pledge submission to the Caliph. That is the peace they are looking for. Islam is the most violent ideology on the planet towards those who don’t submit to it.
This aspect of Islam is challenging to Christians who don’t want to believe that the Muslims they befriend and work with accept this violent ideology. The correct answer is that all don’t. There is a reform movement in Islam that attempts to distance itself from “Orthodox Islam,” because human conscience naturally rejects violence against innocents. However, it is important to understand that these reformers are rejecting their own scriptures and the “model” life of their prophet.
GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson says its possible the world is headed toward the end times prophesied in the Bible, but added that as president he would take action to “ameliorate” it.
Appearing Sunday on “Full Measure,” Carson, a Seventh-day Adventist, was asked by host Sharyl Attkisson about his views on the biblical prophesies of the end times compared with current world events.
“Do you think we’re at the End of Days?” she asked.
“You could guess that we are getting closer to that,” Carson responded.
But he contrasted his own end-time views with those of some Islamic extremists in the Middle East who believe they must take actions to set up a caliphate in order to usher in the prophesies of the Quran.
“You do have people who have a belief system that sees this apocalyptic phenomenon occurring, and that they’re a part of it, and who would not hesitate to use nuclear weapons if they gain … them,” he said.
Attkisson asked if a “change of course” could avert “something that’s prophesied.”
“I think we have a chance to certainly do everything that we can to ameliorate the situation.” Carson said. “I would always be shooting for peace. You know, I wouldn’t just take a fatalistic view of things.”
Carson came under fire for saying on “Meet the Press” September 20 that he doesn’t think a Muslim should be president. He has since said he meant that any Muslim president would have to put the Constitution over Muslim teachings, as would any Christian president and that Sharia is incompatible with that position.
In discussing the president, Carson noted that “Obama serves the interest of the progressive movement,” stating his belief that those are not policies the American people want. Carson declared that President Obama has been successful at foisting progressivism on the country.
He reiterated his position that elements of Islam such as Sharia Law are incompatible with the American Constitution because it “subjugates women in a pretty substantial way” and punishes by death acts of “adultery and homosexuality.”
Attkisson asked Carson about the fact that more Muslim refugees in Syria have been granted Visas compared to Christians in Syria. Catholic News Agency reported that over 900 Muslims from Syria have been granted asylum compared to about 20 Christians, she said.
“I don’t think our policies make a whole lot of sense,” declared Carson. “Why would you bring them into a country that they are dedicated to destroy?”
The United States could use some of its expertise and financial resources to help solve the problem and settle them within their own region, he added.
On the issue of separation of church and state, Carson said “there should be a line drawn” while also noting “there shouldn’t be a Constitutional reason why a person can’t live a public life of faith.”
When asked about firearms, Carson said he has been awarded several awards for his marksmen skills, is a member of the NRA, and owner of “mostly shotguns.”
When asked by Attkisson about the strengths and weaknesses of the major Democrat candidates for the presidency, he called former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton somebody who has “tenacity,” but added her weakness was “dishonesty, lack of integrity.”
He said Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders weakness was “socialist” policies and his strength was “being a populist.” Vice President Joe Biden, who has not declared his candidacy, is somebody who is known for being amicable, Carson added, but he has wholeheartedly embraced “Obama’s policies.”
Carson continued to criticize the politically correct culture and people who are easily offended by displays, such as a Christmas creche in the public square. http://nws.mx/1G2tu90
“Egypt’s Prophetic Tsunami”, one of the judgments God delivers against Egypt in Isaiah 19 is unprecedented Civil War!
Egypt’s prophesied civil war may be close, as government has issued a Death Penalty to former President Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader. Immediately two judges are assassinated by the Brotherhood in protest
Isaiah 19 foretells two major events occurring in Egypt that will deliver her End Times destruction. These two events are: 1) Her government will turn severely dictatorial and will oppress the people. This oppressive government will spark a civil war in which Egyptian kills Egyptian; 2) The Nile River will inexplicably rise up in huge volume and will destroy Egypt’s ability to feed herself. Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam is so poorly designed and built that it could burst, sending a tsunami wave all along the Nile River in Egypt. But that’s not the end of the story.
After pronouncing a death sentence on Egypt by the rampaging flood waters from the Nile River, God turns in great mercy to pronounce a millennia of blessing upon the Egyptian people! DVD by David Bay available from http://www.cuttingedge.org
“The burden of Egypt … and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it. And I will set the Egyptians against the Egyptians: and they shall fight every one against his brother, and every one against his neighbour; city against city, and kingdom against kingdom. And the spirit of Egypt shall fail in the midst thereof; and I will destroy the counsel thereof….” (Isaiah 19:1-3)
God will cause this civil war to result in the most severe Absolute Dictatorship imaginable. When you read this prophecy, you have to wonder if the Muslim Brotherhood might be swept back into power.
“And the Egyptians will I give over into the hand of a cruel lord; and a fierce king shall rule over them, saith the Lord, the Lord of hosts.” (Isaiah 19:4)
Make no mistake about it; President Sisi is stirring up intense hatred from supporters of the Egyptian Brotherhood. Civil War is a logical outcome if Sisi carries out executions of several hundred dissidents.
“The assassination of two Egyptian judges and a prosecutor in the volatile Sinai Peninsula has raised concern of payback from Islamic extremists for the sentencing to death of deposed president Mohamed Morsi. The court officers were gunned down hours after Morsi was condemned to die by a Cairo judge … The attack took place in the provincial capital of El-Arish in the Sinai, where security forces are locked in a bloody struggle with an offshoot of Islamic State. A driver and second prosecutor were wounded when gunmen opened fire, killing the three judicial officials as they were being driven to court.”
This strong reaction attack was accompanied by warnings of several top Middle East officials that Egypt will face exceedingly strong reaction if they do execute Morsi.
“Strong Egypt Party Warns: Regime dragging Egypt into civil war “, Middle East Monitor, May 18, 2015
“The Strong Egypt Party has criticized the ruling regime saying it will drag the country into ‘civil war’. Headed by Dr Abdel Moneim Aboul Fotouh, a former presidential candidate, the party’s remarks came in response to the execution of six people … He warned that “the Egyptian regime’s unprecedented escalation against its opponents over the past few days will drag the country into civil strife.”
“ANKARA: Turkey’s presidential spokesman said Monday that the Middle East would be thrown into turmoil if death sentences handed down in Egypt to former President Mohammad Morsi and other senior Islamist figures were carried out. Ibrahim Kalin told a news conference in Ankara that Turkey would work with the U.N. Human Rights Commission following the sentences, and take ‘all necessary steps’ … Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is a vocal supporter of Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood.”
As we see more end time Bible prophecies being fulfilled, our confidence in the authority and truth of God’s Word (The Bible) is strengthened and hopefully will result in more Christians being challenged to speak out the Gospel of Christ boldly and courageously.
In these last days God has prepared the Chinese Church through their faithfulness and humility under persecution to lead the Church in this part of our end time journey. The Chinese Church has acknowledged God’s call to take the Gospel to the Nations on the three silk roads back to Jerusalem (Back to Jerusalem, Called to Complete the Great Commission by Three Chinese Church Leaders published UK 2003). Their freedom from fear of death, their humility and complete abandonment to the will of God is allowing the Lord to speedily bring them into unity with one another and alignment with His headship.
In His wisdom, God has positioned the Chinese in the natural realm, geographically close to India and the Arab Nations and to have favour among the Arabs as well as respect among the Jews. So the Chinese are able to go where the Western Church cannot. They are able to stretch their arms wide to embrace not only the sons of Ishmael and the sons of Isaac, but also the Western Church, bringing the whole Body together into one family.
Hopefully this video will give you a glimpse of the passion the Chinese have for our Lord.
Does the Bible give us any clues from prophecy? Of course it does, and like never before, Biblical scholars are studying the prophecy sections in both the Old and New Testaments. What has stimulated this frenzy is of course what is happening in the Middle East and North Africa as Christians are facing unprecedented persecution.
The rise of ISIS and the atrocities (beheading) against Christians in a number of middle eastern countries draws us to the end times prophecy in Matthew 24:7-9 “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will famines and pestilences and earthquakes in different places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then they will deliver you (Christians) up to be afflicted and will kill you. And you will be hated of all nations for My name’s sake.” ISIS gives Christians three choices: 1. Convert to Islam, 2. Remain a Christian and pay an exorbitant tax, 3. Remain a Christian and be beheaded. Option 2 is not a long term option.
It is also significant that Damascus and its demise is central focus of many old testament end time prophecies: Isaiah 17:1, Ezekiel 38 & 39, Amos 1:3-5. Some commentators refer to Syria’s involvement in the 1948, 1967 and 1973 wars as the three sins mentioned in Amos with a fourth still to come in the End Times. Jeremiah 49:23-27 also discusses Damascus downfall with similar language to Amos. Isn’t it interesting the West particularly America is trying to decide what role they should take in Syria as it continues into increasing chaos.
It was thought the overthrow of Morosi’s government in Egypt would help Christians but this has not happened. An outburst of violence against Christians by Morosi supporters in 2013 was not halted by the new government not wanting to offend the Islamists. Seventy four churches were burned or desecrated and a grand total of one person was arrested though ten’s of thousands of Islamists were involved.
The British author and journalist (Daily Telegraph & Prospect) concluded in his outstanding column on the fate of Christians in the Middle East with “The story is not of expansion followed by persecution but of persecution leading to elimination”.
It seems fanciful to see a world where Islam is ruling the nations unless of course the Bible’s prophesy of a one-world leader is true and that leader happens to be the 12th Imam (al Mahdi, the “Rightly Guided One”) that the Muslim world believes in and his appearance is imminent. A recent survey amongst Muslims revealed 42% of them believe this Islamic superman will appear in their lifetime. When you read what Muslims believe al-Mahdi will achieve, you would think you are reading the Bible’s description of the Ant Christ. Dozens of books have been written about Mahdi by both Sunni and Shiite scholars and both believe he will come to prepare the world for Allah’s judgment. Jerusalem will even be the centre of Imam, al-Mahdi’s Islamic rule according to a hadith from Muhammad. If you want to read more about the similarities between the Bible’s Antichrist and al-Mahdi get the book by Ralph Stice, Arab Spring, Christian Winter: Islam Unleashed on the Church and the World (2014). Ralph says to keep your eye on Turkey (old Ottoman Empire). Joel Richardson’s DVD “The Return is Near” is another valuable resource.
I believe Jonathan Cahn in his best selling book and DVD “The Harbinger” has identified correctly the judgment God is meting out on America starting with 9/11. There is no sign of repentance and turning back to God in this nation. In fact, the opposite is true so more judgment is ahead. Jonathan expects September 13th, 2015 to be a significant day for more economic judgment as it marks the next Shemitah. The last Shemitah 9/29/2008 signaled the collapse of Wall Street – drop of 777 points (7%).
Of interest, I met Jonathan unexpectedly in a hotel in Jerusalem last month. It was no coincidence. I was there for the “Gathering” put on by Watchmen for the Nations. Three and half thousand Christians were meeting in Jerusalem to praise God and pray with and support the Jewish and Arab Christians in Israel. Jonathan had no knowledge of this event or of the group putting it on. I was God’s messenger to connect Jonathan with this group. What really astounded Jonathan was that more than half of the Christians at the Gathering were Chinese. It demonstrated what he knew to be true that just as the economic power has swung from the west to the east, Holy Spirit power has also swung from the west to the east.
Chinese Christians are carrying out God’s call to send evangelists on the three Silk Roads back to Jerusalem. They go as Jesus sent His disciples to spread the Gospel, no two pairs of shoes. It is happening. The book “Back to Jerusalem – Call to Complete the Great Commission” by Three Chinese Church Leaders is a must read to know what God is doing in these last days.
Russia is back in the news. If oil prices remain this low for much longer, the former Soviet Union will face recession. Last week the ruble fell 36% against the dollar. A desperate interest rate increase has reversed the trend for a time but it is known the oil price is below the production cost for the debt ridden state -owned Rosneft. Clearly Putin’s geopolitical ambitions were financed on $100 + oil, but with $60 oil, Russia is fighting to keep itself afloat. Desperate circumstances often bring desperate action.
Debt ridden European Union countries are in crisis. This quote by George Diez in Spiegel Online International says it all. “It is in the nature of this crisis that the longer it continues, the more confusing it gets. It becomes more difficult to follow its twists and turns and to see who is responsible for what. And the whole time, alternatives are disappearing before our very eyes.”
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa poses a catastrophic threat to the region, and could spread further reports The Economist.
As I write famine warnings are being sounded for South Sudan and Somalia.
The world is being shaken as never before and yet God is in control of world events. Jonathan Cahn’s “The Harbinger” reveals the truth that God is in control of world events. The stock market fell 777 points ( 7%) exactly 7 years to the day after 9/11.
The Bible is God’s HISTORY and it reveals how events are going to play out in the not too distant future. Put your trust in our loving heavenly Father and what He has provided for you through His son Jesus.
” ‘For behold , the days are coming, says the Lord’, ‘that I will bring back from captivity My people Israel and Judah,’ says the Lord. ‘And I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it”. Jeremiah 30:3
“Hear the word of the Lord, O Nations, And declare it in the isles afar off, and say HE who scattered Israel will gather him, And keep him as a shepherd does his flock”. Jeremiah 31:10
The message itself is simple. First it was God who scattered Israel (from their own land). Second the same God who scattered Israel is now regathering them (to their own land). Third God will not merely regather them; HE will also keep (protect) them. Thus the ultimate safety of Israel is guaranteed by God.
Another remarkable prophecy concerning Israel’s regathering is made by Isaiah 750 BC:
“Those who war against you shall be as nothing, As a non-existent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand.” Isaiah 41: 12,13
When Israel declared itself a Nation on May 14, 1948, the armies of seven Arab nations marched in defiance against her, boasting that they would push the Jews into the sea. Outnumbered 100 to 1, Israel not only repelled the invaders but acquired more of Palestine than was granted in the UN partition plan. Many miracles occurred as Biblical tactics were employed.
One of the greatest military feats in history was the 1967 War. The Arabs again boasted they would destroy Israel. However in six days Israel overran the combined forces of Syria, Jordan, Egypt and took the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem, the West Bank (Samaria and Judea), and the Sinai.
Psalm 129: 5,6 and Psalm 125:3 reinforce what Isaiah declared.
“Let all who hate Zion be put to shame and turned back. Let them be as the grass on the housetops, which withers before it grows up”
“For the sceptre of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous ….”
‘The sceptre of the wicked’ is I believe an accurate description of Islam.
Finally Psalm 33: 8-12 is an unequivocal declaration that it is God’s Word that brought the world into being; and that it is the same Word that directs the course of history. Nations and their governments may hold their councils and issue their decrees, but whenever these are in opposition to God’s prophetic Word, they will come to nothing.
“Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast. The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His inheritance.”
As the surrounding darkness increases, the light of biblical prophecy grows correspondingly brighter. It is the only reliable source of information concerning the Middle East. Whilst bible prophecy signals tough times ahead for Israel we do know that God will fulfill all His counsel and His promises. The critical point of the Lord’s revelation to Israel is prophetically depicted in Zechariah 12:10
“And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieves for a firstborn.”
Two chapters further on, Zechariah pictures the actual return of the Messiah, JESUS in person on the Mount of Olives.
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 