PROPHESIED ROLE OF MUSLIMS IN THE END TIMES

We have to understand that on October 7th, 2023 something unbelievable happened in Israel. Something that’s really beyond imagination. Hamas fighters — but not only them, because it was Islamic Jihad, random Gazans came into Israel [too] — penetrated into the kibbutzim, to the villages around Gaza, and basically butchered 1,200 Israelis [including] kids in their beds. They raped women, they beheaded babies. They slaughtered parents in front of their kids and took 240 of them into Gaza.

When we hear politicians or protestors calling for a two-state solution, we need to remember that Israel tried that. In fact, many Israelis gave up their own land in 2005 to make it work. What was the outcome: Since 2001, Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip and now the Hamas invasion with unspeakable terror.  A poll conducted in September 2014 found that 80% of Palestinians support firing rockets against Israel

Within the Muslim Middle East, everything is very simple. … If you’re weak, we will come and kill you. This is how it goes. … Hamas succeeded in doing something that all the Arab armies hadn’t succeeded in doing in 75 years. Hamas invaded Israel in one day. And if the Palestinians get a state at the end of it, it means it was worth it.

If Israel is forced into a two-state solution, what will happen next? “Radical Islam, because of it, will raise its head all over the world. We can already see it. It began in Europe. You can already see they’re telling the Christians in Europe, ‘We want to apply Sharia rules here in your countries, you are our slaves.’ This is how they treat Christians in Europe today. This is what they want to see in America. This is what they want to see in the entire Western civilization and they will never give up.

This is spiritual warfare and Biblical end times prophecy tells us that it will only get more intense.

Satan is about to be cast out of heaven and he knows his time is short. Note what it says about Earth: “But woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows that his time is short.Revelation 12:12

Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.Revelation 12:7-9

End times Biblical prophecy tells us that the next war will be between the Muslims, Turkey (Sunni) will seek to establish a revived Ottoman Empire and will defeat Iran (Shia) which is currently trying to establish its dominance in the Middle East through its proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and Houthis in Yemen, as well as its proxies in Iraq and Syria. We are then told that Turkey’s efforts are short-lived and it is broken up into four probably by the United Nations forces. It is out of one of these four that the “Little Horn”, the Antichrist arises (Daniel 8:9). He will be of Muslim descent and be seen by them as their long-awaited Mahdi. Just look at the percentage of Muslims in each country that expect the Mahdi to return in their lifetime.

WHY HAMAS AND HEZBOLLAH ATTACKED ISRAEL IN SUCH A RADICAL WAY KILLING CIVILIANS INCLUDING WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND BABIES?

This CBN News article gives us details about Muslims’ long-awaited Mahdi. Both Shia (Iran) and Sunni (majority of Muslims) believe in a coming Messiah – al Mahdi. He is the antithesis of our Messiah, Jesus, and a best-fit candidate for the Antichrist.

“The horrific Hamas attack on Israel was the first phase of a long-term plan by Iran to wipe out the Jewish State. Iranian leaders believe Israel must be eliminated before the return of an Islamic “messiah-like” figure known as the Mahdi. For years, Iran has been indoctrinating its fighters in the belief that there must be an apocalyptic war that destroys both Israel and Jews around the world to usher in the Mahdi’s return. Islamic expert Raymond Ibrahim says, “The Mahdi basically means ‘guided one,’. ‘ He takes on different guises, depending on which sect of Islam you ask, Sunni or Shia.” Islamic writings say his name is Mohammed Ibn Abdillah. Sunnis, the majority of the world’s Muslims, believe the Mahdi has not yet been born. Shia Islam, which Iran dominates, teaches that the Mahdi is already alive, and has been hiding for over a thousand years. Brother Rachid, a former Muslim who hosts a Christian program for Muslims called “Daring Questions,” says, “Shia Muslims, especially the ‘Twelver Shia’ believe he is the 12th Imam, and that he was born around 868. He’s still alive today. His age is 1,155. So, he’s still living somewhere and one day he will show himself.”

Muslims in Iran believe the Mahdi is hiding in a well in the small village of Jamkaran. Pilgrims peer down the well with flashlights, leave prayer requests for the Mahdi, and hope he will reappear. Muslims believe that when the Mahdi returns, he will be accompanied by Jesus, who is referred to in Islam as the Prophet Isa, to rid the world of evil.  Iranian leaders have seized upon belief in the final battle before the Mahdi’s return to motivate its military and allies to fight harder to destroy Israel.  Ibrahim says, “A lot of the Islamic schools or jihadists are being indoctrinated by Iranian propaganda into Mahdism. It always centres around Israel and attacking and destroying Israel.” Some believe in the next phase of its plan to wipe out Israel, Iran might initiate a multi-front attack through its heavily armed proxy armies in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Ibrahim and Brother Rachid say the doctrine of the Mahdi’s return means that any attempts by Israel to make peace with the Muslim world will ultimately prove futile. “Israel is a threat to Muslims, to the coming of the Mahdi,” says Brother Rachid. “So, they have to be eliminated. There is no other solution. You cannot do peace with Israel.” Ibrahim says.” Source: CBN News

Further proof for Muslim Antichrist is in Daniel 8 where Daniel sees a vision of a battle between a Goat (Turkey) and a Ram (Iran). Turkey (previous Ottoman Empire) will not allow Iran (Shia) to usurp its position of dominance over Muslims. It aspires to re-establish its Ottoman Empire. We are told it will be successful for a short period but then is to be broken up into four nations probably by the United Nations who would not allow another Ottoman Empire to dominate Europe.

Then the goat (Revived Ottoman Empire) became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.Daniel 8:8

Biblical prophecy reveals that a little horn (Antichrist) arises from out of one of these four Muslim nations.

Out of one of them came a little horn (Antichrist), which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven.Daniel 8:9

As for the horn that was broken (Revived Ottoman Empire), in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face (Antichrist), one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power, and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints. By his cunning, he shall make deceit prosper under his hand, and in his own mind, he shall become great. Without warning, he shall destroy many. And he shall even rise up against the Prince of princes, and he shall be broken—but by no human hand.Daniel 8: 22-25

ISLAMIC CLERIC SLAMS ‘HYPOCRITE’ AUSTRALIANS FOR CALLING HAMAS TERRORISTS

A Sydney Islamic preacher has called on Muslims to wage “jihad” and declared Australia “hypocrites” for labelling as terrorism the Hamas massacre of innocent Israels but “forgetting its dark past”, in a radical and incendiary sermon. And yet he is untouched by police or government authorities and still inciting Muslims to Jihad/terrorism.

In late October, ‘Imam Ismail’ gave a khutbah – a traditional Islamic sermon at Al Madina Dawah Centre, southwest Sydney – that took aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the federal government and intelligence service, and Islamic leaders who had criticised Jihad fighters abroad, as well as calling Jihad the “solution”.

Imam Ismail said those Hamas terrorists who committed the October 7 attack on Israel were not terrorists, but “freedom fighters” and “warriors”.

“That hypocrite Albanese when he came and stepped and dirtied one of the mosques saying and claiming and putting the mouth of hypocrisy and lies to the Muslims, that we love Muslims and respect them. Not long after Allah exposed his lies when he (Albanese) said Israel has the right to defend itself, when he labelled Hamas as terrorists,” he said.

“We say to every individual who said Hamas were terrorists, did you (Australia) really forget your dark history,” he said.

“Did you really forget what your ancestors did to the native people in this country, how they killed them, how they chained them like dogs… did you forget that you celebrate every year a massacre you did to the native people. “You want to come and teach us about morals?”

Imam Ismail dared the government to deport him for his comments. “If the Australian government or ASIO like it or not, if they want to deport me or not, the Jihad is the solution for the Ummah (the Islamic community)…,” he also said.

“There is no other way but fighting for the sake of Allah.” Ismail told the audience at the Bankstown-based religious centre that “they (Australians) don’t care about us”. Ismail also took aim at other Islamic leaders who had criticised terrorist groups, like ISIS, in the past. “You all have seen those sheikhs, when they spoke about what happened in Syria, they started labelling (fighters as) Kharijites (an extreme Islamic sect),” Ismail said. “Now they (the sheikhs) will come back again for another role, to describe another sect fighting in Palestine as Kharijites. This is their role – to scare the Muslims, making them think that Jihad is terrorism, as their enemy says.” Ismail also referenced the Al-Qaeda and Islamic State flags, and symbols used within them, telling the audience it was “the flag of Muslims”. “The national Australian flag is not our flag,” he said.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Antichrist will be the Muslim Mahdi. The Muslim’s long-awaited Messiah and now expected by the majority of Muslims as this chart shows.

The Bible tells us what is yet to unfold: Turkey will seek to re-establish an Ottoman Empire but the U.N/One World Government breaks it up into four and out of those four Muslim nations arises the Antichrist (Little Horn).

Then the goat (Turkey – revived Ottoman Empire) became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken (U.N./One World Government), and instead of it, there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Out of one of them came a little horn, which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven.
Daniel 8:8-10

Can you imagine how Muslims the world over will react when this man appears particularly Islamic preachers like Ismail?

LINK BETWEEN THE MAHDI AND THE ANTICHRIST

What both leading Muslim scholars, Sunni and Shia, declare: Islam allows the accumulation of sufficient force to “terrorize the enemy and deter against an attack upon Muslims.” The “prevention of Muslims from the production of weapons of mass destruction … while other countries are allowed to do this – causes general, great and large damage upon all Muslims.”

It is thus permissible for Muslims to produce WMDs “in order to seek balance in armed conflict between them and hostile forces.” The achievement of strategic balance with the enemy is not only legitimate but religiously obligatory. “It is possible for an Islamic state to use this type of weapon if the enemy uses it, or it is thought likely that the enemy is poised to use it. It is why Iran is determined to have nuclear weapons.

The achievement of strategic balance with the enemy is not only legitimate but religiously obligatory.

When recognized Islamic scholars speak, all Muslims listen. When those scholars state clearly that it is a religious obligation to produce nuclear weapons of mass destruction to ward off the infidels, and that Islam sanctions use of such weapons if “it is thought likely that the enemy is poised to use it,” you can see why everyone in the world should be nervous about Islamists getting within a million miles of nuclear weapons.

Who Will Unite Muslims and Take On the West?

What kind of leader would be needed to unite an extremely disparate group of Muslims around the world, tired of Western domination and seeking earnestly to “prepare” the world for Allah’s final judgment as the “last, best revelation of God” is presented to all? This man would have to have unusual gifts of diplomacy, holiness, charm, wisdom, and the ability to gain the admiration and respect of Muslims worldwide. Well, you should know that Muslims are already waiting for this man, with 42 percent in a recent survey believing the Islamic superman will appear in their lifetime. His name is al-Mahdi, the “Rightly Guided One,” who has been discussed since the earliest days of Islam. This Islamic messiah was referred to by Muhammad’s grandson, Ali, who said that Islam would “prevail over all religions … when the Messiah of this ummah (Islamic nation) makes his appearance.

All branches of Islam throughout history are expecting the al Mahdi, as revealed by this quote from what has been called the greatest Islamic history book from the pre-modern era: “Let it be known that it is a narrated event by ALL Muslims in EVERY era that at the end of time a man from the family of the Prophet (PBUH&HF) will, without fail, make his appearance and will strengthen Islam and spread justice; Muslims will follow him and he will gain domination over the Muslim realm. He will be called al-Mahdi.

He will appear just as mankind reaches a stage of great suffering, to show the light of Islam when men and women need it most, and to prepare the world for Allah’s judgment just in time, according to accepted Islamic teaching.

He will reappear on the appointed day, and then he will fight against the forces of evil, lead a world revolution and set up a new world order based on justice, righteousness, and virtue … ultimately the righteous will take the world administration in their hands and Islam will be victorious over all the religions.

If this sounds like the Antichrist, you can see why many of us who have studied Islam for years believe that Mahdi will be that man. One Muslim background Believer who has done a lot of speaking and writing about al-Mahdi, Walid Shoebat, says that as he read scriptural prophecy for the first time, he was astonished by the description of the Antichrist. His conclusion? This is the Mahdi (Mehdi) that we have long talked about in Islam.

Other aspects of Mahdi’s profile include: He will be from the line of Fatimah, Muhammad’s first wife, and become a public figure at the age of forty. Physically, he will have a high forehead and hooked nose, according to prophecies traced back to Muhammad.

He will center his operations in Karbala, Iraq, according to Shiites. A hadith of Muhammad says that he will sweep across the Middle East and set up his reign in Jerusalem. That reign will, of course, be headquartered at the Dome of the Rock, the mosque in Jerusalem

He will have miracle-working power, which will impress the Islamic community and verify his status as a special instrument of Allah. One teaching says, “In the Last Days of the ummah, the Mahdi will appear. Allah will give him power over the wind and the rain, and the earth will bring forth its foliage.”
He will guide Muslims to great wealth, but he will not lead a profligate lifestyle. Instead, he “will give away wealth profusely, flocks will be in abundance, and the ummah will be large and honored.” Likewise, “A man will stand and say, ‘Give to me Mahdi!’ and he will say, ‘Take.’”
He will rule over the world for seven years, according to most accounts, including those that claim to trace this time span back to Muhammad’s prediction. This will feature a seven-year “peace agreement” between the “Arabs and the Romans,” what many believe will be between Islam and the West. Such parallels with Scripture are no accident, according to many. He will be assisted by “Jesus,” who will descend, probably in Damascus, from heaven to work miracles and preach Islam. “Jesus will testify against those who had called him son of God, the Christians, and those who had belied him, the Jews.” I think this Islamic version of Jesus fits the description of the Antichrist’s assistant in Revelation 13 perfectly.

While Mahdi straightens out the ummah by “freeing Islam from the hypocrites who have corrupted it,” this Jesus will handle the evangelization of the Jewish and Christian communities.

The end result? “Jesus” will summon Christians and Jews “to live by the Qu’ran by purging them of the errors into which they have fallen. As Christians follow the Prophet Isa [Jesus], the Christian and Islamic world will unite in a single belief, and the world will enjoy a period of great peace, security, happiness, and well-being, known as the Golden Age.”[210]
Here is a fitting capstone to describe al-Mahdi: “He is the precursor of the victory of the Truth and the fall of all tyrants. He heralds the end of injustice and oppression and the beginning of the final rising of the sun of Islam which will never again set and which will ensure happiness and the elevation of mankind … The Mahdi is one of Allah’s clear signs which will soon be made evident to everyone.” Muhammad ibn Izzat, Muhammad Arif, Al Mahdi and the End of Time (London: Dar Al-Taqwa, 1997).

And, he will rule from Jerusalem, according to a hadith from Muhammad: Jerusalem will be the location of the rightly guided caliphate and the center of Islamic rule, which will be headed by Imam al-Mahdi … that will abolish the leadership of the Jews … and put an end to the domination of the Satans who spit evil into people and cause corruption in the earth, making them slaves of false idols and ruling the world by laws other than the sharia of the Lord of the worlds.

These Islamic prophecies are not from an infallible source. However, if the entire Islamic world is looking for a Messiah who will arise from the Biblical prophesied nation and accomplish all that the Biblical prophecies say the Antichrist will do it is unlikely it is a coincidence.

WHO IS THE AL-MAHDI, THE RIGHTLY GUIDED ONE?

Following on from my recent post “AL MAHDI BEST CANDIDATE FOR ANTICHRIST”

Forty-two percent of Muslims in a recent survey believe the Islamic Superman will appear in their lifetime (www.mahdi-watch.org). His name is al-Mahdi, the “Rightly Guided One,” who has been discussed since the earliest days of Islam. This Islamic messiah was referred to by Muhammad’s grandson, Ali, who said that Islam would “prevail over all religions when the Messiah of this ummah (Islamic nation) makes his appearance.” (Ed Hotaling, Islam without Illusions: Its Past, Its Present, and Its Challenges for the Future (Syracuse, NY: Syracuse University Press, 2003), 102).

In Daniel 8 we are told that Antichrist will arise when a revived Ottoman Empire is broken up into four and out of one of these four the Little Horn, the Antichrist will arise. I can only surmise about who will break the revived Ottoman Empire into four nations. Candidates, U.N., Russia, USA, or a composite of these three. Certainly, most of the European nations would not want to see a powerful revived Ottoman Empire that wants to dominate the entire world.

Then the goat (Turkey) became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven. Out of one of them came a little horn (Antichrist), which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the glorious land. It grew great, even to the host of heaven. And some of the host and some of the stars it threw down to the ground and trampled on them. It became great, even as great as the Prince of the host.” Daniel 8:8-11

As for the horn that was broken, in place of which four others arose, four kingdoms shall arise from his nation, but not with his power. And at the latter end of their kingdom, when the transgressors have reached their limit, a king of bold face, one who understands riddles, shall arise. His power shall be great—but not by his own power, and he shall cause fearful destruction and shall succeed in what he does, and destroy mighty men and the people who are the saints.Daniel 8:22-24

Old Testament scholar Michael Heiser: “Gog (Numbers 23 and Ezekiel 38) would have been perceived as either a figure empowered by supernatural evil or an evil quasi-divine figure from the supernatural world bent on the destruction of God’s people. For this reason, Gog is regarded by many biblical scholars as a template for the New Testament, Antichrist.”

In both Numbers 24 and Ezekiel 38 Gog leads a coalition of Middle Eastern and North African nations, which confirms a Middle Eastern, not a Roman, Antichrist.

I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. And I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them clothed in full armor, a great host, all of them with buckler and shield, wielding swords. Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet; Gomer and all his hordes; Beth-togarmah from the uttermost parts of the north with all his hordes—many peoples are with you.Ezekiel 38:3-6

All of the nations Gog (Antichrist) leads are Muslim nations. Which makes the alMahdi the most likely candidate for the Antichrist.

JOEL PROVIDES A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR MYSTERY BABYLON

Joel Richardson does a great job of examining Scripture to come up with an answer to one of the big Biblical mysteries – the identity of Mystery Babylon. I agree with Rabbi Walker, that what is so good about all of Joel’s books, is that he is not  dogmatic about his position, his conclusions. He simply lays out his case, based on Scripture and the historical facts, and leaves it up to the reader to come to their own conclusion. Let me know what you think of the video and whether you are persuaded to buy Joel’s book. I am reading it and producing a Power Point Sermon on it for http://www.powerpointsermons.net.