Islam: More Than Meets The Eye? Some Parallels ...

[richardP]

Originally Posted by In Christ Alone

I believe that all of this is a part of the great apostasy that the Apostle Paul told us would happen before the revealing of Antichrist and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. We are well on our way to seeing this rebellion against the Christian faith taking form, be it atheism or Islam. The enemy will use all weapons in his arsenal during these Last Days, but I believe that Islam is his 'doomsday weapon of mass destruction'.

We are in agreement here. I too have observed the withering of the church. It's there to see in every statistic available as well as the general attitude of many communicants. Godly devotion has been replaced in the pulpits with the prosperity gospel, despite its obvious lack of utility. It may be that the secular world is encroaching too much on our lives, but I feel that other factors are also involved.

Many quote the phrase that God is in charge, but don't seem to grasp the meaning of it. I have read that there is usually a revival in every generation. The last time that such a thing swept over the land was in the early 1970's. It was in all the papers and even made the cover of TIME magazine. A very exciting time indeed, but in the midst of it denominational leaders made it very plain to the Holy Spirit that its' presence wasn't welcome. I was in the midst of the controversy and can personally testify as to the heat this issue generated. The Holy Spirit will not long dwell where it is not welcome and it eventually retired.

What is happening today is happening according to some divine plan, of that I am certain. When I pray about it, a verse comes to mind;

when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads; because your redemption draweth nigh.
Luke 21:28

As to the works of our enemy; I am reminded of the words of General Ulysses S. Grant when he assumed command of the Union Army in 1864. His lieutenants were arguing about what Confederate General Robert E. Lee would do to them. Angered, General Grant said that he didn't want to hear what Bobby Lee was going to do to them. Instead he wanted to hear what they were going to do to Lee.

Therefore since we see we are now in the last days, shall we not focus on the works of our Lord and Saviour instead of those of the enemy?

What is Our Lord Jesus doing these last days and how can we best serve Him in the midst of this wicked and perverse generation?

[theophilus]

Originally Posted by richardP

Unfortunately, Christians seem to be 'giving up' wholesale. In a recent letter from the BILLY GRAHAM EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION to its contributors, Franklin Graham stated that their efforts would no longer seek to spread Christianity throughout our nation.

Did you actually read this letter? If not, what is the source of your information?

[In Christ Alone]

Quote: In the time that it takes you to watch this video 2 Christians will have been killed for their belief in Jesus. Please pray for our brothers and sisters enduring tribulation around the world. Words can neither describe nor do justice to these images. May God and Christ be glorfied in their sacrifice.

Matthew 24:7-13, "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved."

Originally Posted by richardP

Therefore since we see we are now in the last days, shall we not focus on the works of our Lord and Saviour instead of those of the enemy?

What is Our Lord Jesus doing these last days and how can we best serve Him in the midst of this wicked and perverse generation?

We need to be aware of the works of the enemy, to not be ignorant of the realities that the body of Christ faces today, nor to the days that are coming. We must be an example to the world by showing the love of Christ, even to those who are against us, by loving them and praying for them. No matter what troubles come our way may we have the strength to always persevere in the face of persecution, in the face of tribulation, in the face of death.

[In Christ Alone]

Iranian Pastor Tortured, Threatened for 'Converting Muslims'

Arrest, imprisonment appear to be part of larger crackdown in Isfahan.

ISTANBUL, March 8 (CDN) — An Assyrian pastor the Iranian government accused of “converting Muslims” is being tortured in prison and threatened with execution, sources close to the case said...

During the raid, State Security police detained everyone in the house, later releasing all but Issavi and the owner of the home. Security officials also seized personal property from the home. Typically in Christian arrests in Iran, security officials confiscate all documents, media materials, computers, and personal documentation. Issavi is being held in an unmarked prison, according to FCNN.

Last month’s arrest seems to be part of an anti-Christian sweep that is taking place across Isfahan. In addition to the politically motivated detentions and executions that have taken place after June’s contested election and subsequent nation-wide political protests, it appears authorities are rounding up Christian leaders."

[richardP]

Originally Posted by theophilus

Did you actually read this letter? If not, what is the source of your information?

I am a regular contributor to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and it was sent to me in a general mailing at the end of February.

[In Christ Alone]

Islamic authorities expelling Christians

Several dozen Christian orphanage workers, business leaders, teachers and others who work with charitable organizations to help the poor in Morocco have been rounded up by government agents and deported, according to a series of reports to WND.

A Christian aid worker who contacted WND said many of the people being removed by authorities in the northwestern African Islamic nation are being told without explanation that their visas have been revoked.

[In Christ Alone]

Take Terrorist Cells Out Now

The "systemic failures" this president is setting out to correct will yield no lasting impact unless and until the administration addresses an extremely dangerous and often visible enemy in our midst

According to one CIA analyst I spoke with last week, al Qaeda sleeper cells are embedded in most U.S. cities with sizable Islamic communities. "Why do you think 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta traveled to Maine the night before the attacks?" asked the analyst. The obvious answer, he explained, was that Atta was meeting with a "handler" to receive final instructions. There is no doubt, explained the analyst, that thousands of al Qaeda sleeper agents, including conspirators involved in the Sept. 11 attacks, remain in the country.

These covert networks are ticking time bombs that wield the capacity and hatred to carry out acts worse than 9/11. What's shocking, explained the analyst, is not the existence of this widespread covert network, but that law enforcement has largely been neutered in its response. According to the analyst, "the Agency" knows where most terrorist cells are located in the United States. But their hands are tied until the cells actually "go hot," or move into action

Obviously, this is not the most effective way to combat terrorism. The most effective way to prevent another 9/11 style attack is to root it out before it even starts. That means taking advantage of the modern intelligence we have and abducting members of domestic terrorist cells before — not after — they "go hot."

... The terrorists intend to destroy us. They will strike again. They have told us so. A teetering Pakistan only increases the possibility that the next attack will involve weapons of mass destruction, including radiological dispersion devices.
Unfortunately, attempts to prevent al Qaeda from constituting within our own borders are being hampered by the Obama administration's apparent uncertainty about how to treat sleeper cells.

[In Christ Alone]

'Hated Israel will be annihilated'

The Palestinians and the nations of the Middle East will be rid of a “bad omen” once Israel is annihilated, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said in a speech communicated by Press TV.

Speaking to supporters in southern Iran, Ahmadinejad charged that Israel, a foreign presence and a “Western prodigy” in the region, had “reached the end of its road.”

My Comments -- According To Scripture The Antichrist Does NOT Rule A Global Government

Many Christians today believe that when the Antichrist comes on the scene he will be ruling or will soon rule some form of global government. But, does the whole of Scripture really support this idea? There are a few verses that may appear to give credence to such a notion, but I believe that we can ascertain that this will in fact not be the case.

Let's consider the following questions:

• If Antichrist's rule is literally global, why are other nations waging war against him and why is he himself waging wars? (Daniel 11:39-45; 9:26).
• How can "all" mean literally "all" if even one nation -- for example Jordan -- is able to escape his hand (Dan 11:41)?
• If Antichrist rules the world, why is he so worried about news coming out of the east and the north (Dan 11:44)?

Many will point to certain verses and take from that the idea that Antichrist literally rules the entire earth, while ignoring many others which suggest that he will not. For example:

Rev 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

Zechariah 14:2, "For I will gather ALL nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity..."

Are these verses referring to the whole literal earth, to literally all nations in the world? I say no, it does not. Here is why.

Let's look at the verses below to determine if "all" should always be understood to be universal (portions are capitalized/bolded for emphasis):

Luke 2:1-3 "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that ALL THE WORLD should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And ALL went to be taxed, every one into his own city."

Mark 1:5, "And there went out unto him ALL the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were ALL baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins."

Daniel 2:36-38, "This was the dream, and now we will interpret it to the king. You, O king, are the king of kings. The God of heaven has given you dominion and power and might and glory; in your hands he has placed mankind and the beasts of the field and the birds of the air. Wherever they live, he has made you ruler over them ALL. You are that head of gold."

Ezra 1:2, "Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD Elohim of heaven hath given me ALL the kingdoms of the earth;"

Romans 10:18 "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into ALL THE EARTH, and their words unto the ends of the world."

We know the answers to the following questions, but in light of the verses above let's ask the obvious: Did Caesar literally tax the whole world? Did every last man, woman and child in Judea and Jerusalem get baptized in the Jordan River? Did Nebuchadnezzar or Cyrus literally rule over the entire earth, ruling over the native Indians in North and South America? Was the Gospel preached to the whole literal earth during the lives of the disciples? We know that the answer to each of these questions is no, as the verses above are obvious example of a figure of speech known as a synecdoche. This figure of speech uses a part for the whole, or the whole for a part. This is especially true when we read about kings and their kingdoms, and Antichrist will be no different.

We read the same thing in Col 1:23, "If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to EVERY CREATURE WHICH IS UNDER HEAVEN; whereof I Paul am made a minister." We know that Paul did not preach to crickets, frogs and polar bears. It may sound silly to say that, but that would be the logical conclusion we would have to draw if one were not to employ common sense and only read this verse in a wooden, literal sense.

Many of us may often recognize figures of speech in Scripture such as Col 1:23 above, but then deny that any references to Antichrist could ever be another example of synecdoche when numerous other verses in Scripture in the context of Antichrist demonstrate it forcefully, notwithstanding the fact that logically Antichrist cannot have global power if he is fighting so many wars until the end.

Let's take a closer look at Revelation 13:8 and Zechariah 14:2 again.

Rev 13:8, "And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

The Greek word for "earth" in Rev 13:8 is "ge" and this will often be referring to "a country, land enclosed within fixed boundaries, a tract of land, territory, region". How can we know if this is the intended meaning? One clue for us is found in the second part of the very same verse when John writes that those who worship him are those "whose names are not written in the book of life." Here, John directs us to an understanding that it will not be literally all that dwell upon the earth that will worship the Beast. It is, rather, a certain group only. This should also be quite obvious to us when considering the undeniable fact that a great multitude "which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues" will come out of the Great Tribulation (Rev 7:9,14). If they come out of the Great Tribulation, they had to be in it, and while they were in it they did not worship Antichrist.

Is there anything else that would point us in the same direction? Let's examine the full counsel of Scripture, beginning with Zechariah 14:2.

Zechariah 14:2, "For I will gather ALL nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity..."

Who are all the nations? The Hebrew says "goy cabiyb", and this can very easily mean the surrounding Gentiles or the Gentiles round about. Are there any verses in the context of Antichrist and his coalition that specifically state the nations with the Antichrist are only the nations surrounding Israel? Yes.

Zechariah 14:14 "Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the SURROUNDING nations will be gathered, gold and silver and garments in great abundance."

Zechariah 12:2 "I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the SURROUNDING peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem."

Joel 3:11-12 "Hasten and come, all you SURROUNDING nations, And gather yourselves there. Bring down, O LORD, Your mighty ones. Let the nations be aroused And come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat,For there I will sit to judge All the SURROUNDING nations."

Ezekiel 28:24-26 "'No longer will the people of Israel have malicious NEIGHBORS who are painful briers and sharp thorns. Then they will know that I am the Sovereign LORD. " 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: When I gather the people of Israel from the nations where they have been scattered, I will show myself holy among them in the sight of the nations. Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards; they will live in safety when I inflict punishment on all their NEIGHBORS WHO MALIGNED AGAINST THEM. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God.'"

Although the Antichrist will want to rule the earth and force his religion, his ideology, his image of how this world should think and act upon everyone on the planet, he will not be unable to do so. When Christ returns the Bible lists the nations that He fights against BY NAME. Every nation that is named is today an Islamic nation. I don't believe that Zechariah would claim literally all nations on the planet in 14:2, and then turn around and say just the surrounding nations in verse 14:14. Logistically, it would be an impossibility for literally every nation on earth to amass troops, tanks, aircraft, personnel carriers, etc. etc. etc. in one Israeli valley. In the context of Zechariah 12 it is quite apparent to me that Zechariah is referring only to the surrounding nations, as he had already wrote about previously in 12:2 and then again later in 14:14. The prophets Joel and Ezekiel confirm this as well. In light of the whole counsel of Scripture the Antichrist's rule and political influence will be relegated to the whole MUSLIM world, but not the world as a whole.

Muslims must unite for Islam's savior: Iran

The spokesman of Iran's Supreme Leader called on neighboring countries to mobilize their forces in preparation for the coming of the savior of Islam and to unite with the Islamic Republic in paving the way for his arrival, an Iranian news agency reported Sunday.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's spokesman, Ali Saeedi, said countries like Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Afghanistan should gather together all their forces in order to make drastic changes to prepare for the coming of al-Mahdi al-Montazar, Arabic for "the awaited guided one."

[In Christ Alone]

Muslim website calls for 'Sharia' Islamic law in Ireland

An Irish Islamic website which argues for the introduction of "Sharia" law in Ireland had nearly 270,000 hits last month alone.

The site is targeted at what it calls Irish "O'Muslims," the Muslim Public Affairs Council website, www.mpac.ie.

Sharia refers to the "way" Muslims should live or the "path" they must follow. Sharia is derived from the sacred text of Islam (the Koran) and traditions gathered from the life of the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Sharia deals with many aspects of life, including crime, politics, economics, banking, business, contracts, family, sexuality, hygiene, and social issues.

An editorial post says introducing Sharia is a patriotic duty.

[richardP]

Nothing can make you more anti-muslim than reading the Qur'an. I've been slogging my way through it. Reads like a phone book. Very dry, very redundant and very inconsistant.

Rather odd, because when you think about it MOST books are consistant; secular, religious, scientific or otherwise.

I don't pay much attention to news items about radical muslim activities. Too depressing. Their unHoly book is enough for me.

The odd thing is that I find many misquotations and misinterpretations of the Qur'an from Muslims themselves. Don't they study their own book?