Decoding the Mystery? Islam, Bible Prophecy and the Second Coming of Christ

Gog and Magog…who are they? The word of the LORD came to me: "Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal; prophesy against him and say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen fully armed, and a great horde with large and small shields, all of them brandishing their swords. Persia, Cush and Put will be with them, all with shields and helmets, also Gomer with all its troops, and Beth Togarmah from the far north with all its troops—the many nations with you. –(Ezekiel 32:1-6)

Some Problems of Interpretation Problem of Specificity –The trap of becoming too specific that are forecasts change often Problem of Authority –Replaces clear Biblical authority with ingenious speculation –Removes our eyes from clearer Biblical warnings

Christ’s Signs of the End Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,[a]' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.a –(Matthew 24:4-8)

Islam and Wars…Rumours of Wars… Disclaimer: Not all Muslims are bent on conquering the world by war But a significant minority are And many others are committed to other means And there are implications for us right here

How Muslims View the World Dar al Harb Dar al Salam The whole world must be Islamicized

HOW? There is no distinction between secular and sacred means, as such distinction does not exist in Islam Means may involve the following: –Preaching/Education –Political Involvement –Economic Domination –Cultural Destruction (by war)

Whichever chosen… Jihad required The way Muslims live in submission to Allah Two general interpretations: –A struggle to get sin out of your personal life –An all out war (bloodshed) to destroy infidels with the immediate promise of paradise for martyrdom

The Promise of Paradise Let those who fight in the cause of God barter the life of this world for that which is to come; for whoever fights on God's path, whether he is killed or triumphs, We will give him a handsome reward. –Qur’an 4:74

Islamic Terrorism Chooses the second type of Jihad mentioned before Most Muslims in the world do not choose such, but they do so through a “soft interpretation” of their faith Terrorists take the teachings of their faith more literally

Worldwide Domination Islam in its attempt to conquer the world makes use of all means mentioned earlier Oil wealth, for instance, opens doors to “peaceful” involvement in another culture But who is behind that wealth?

Radical Sunni Islam Rich Gulf States money Wahabiism Most famous name: Osama Bin Ladin

Radical Shi’a Islam Iranian oil and nuclear backing Twelvers Most famous name: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

The Difference? Both have their eyes on the same prize – world Islamicization Both see the same obstacle – the little Satan Both are willing to use similar means – war But they have different strategies

Leads a war against invading infidels Multi-fronts: economic aid, education and destruction Create conditions for return of the Mahdi (messiah) Destruction and mayhem necessary Israel the first target

Relevance? Radical Sunni Islam has already targeted Jamaica –Paid missionary –Purged Islam –Promise of economic assistance –Problem of worship and politics to come If Iran attacks Israel our world changes for the worse