In the prelude to WWII, there were signs everywhere of Hitler’s intent as he telegraphed his intentions for Eastern Europe and its Jewish population in his book, “Mein Kampf”.
The Jews of Europe were a powerful asset to the Nazi war machine as slave labor. They kept the domestic infrastructure running, manufacturing goods, laboring on farms, repairing roads and bridges. So the Nazi threat to destroy them seemed illogical and people shrugged it off.
Today, another “Hitler” has arisen but his time he has no value put on the Jews but to see them “wiped from the face of the earth.” I’m speaking of Iran’s president Ahmadinejad. Let me explain the “big picture” so that we can recognize the times of the signs.
There is a sect within Shia Islam that is awaiting the return of the 12th Imam, also known as the Mahdi, the Muslim Messiah. The coming of the Mahdi will be preceded by cosmic chaos, war, bloodshed and pestilence. After this cataclysmic confrontation between the forces of good and evil, the Mahdi will lead the world to an era of Islamic paradise on earth. The Twelvers believe they can hasten the return of the Mahdi by starting the war of Armageddon.
According to Muslim tradition, the Mahdi is believed to ride forth on a white horse at the head of his forces. In their book, “Al Mahdi and the End of Time”, Muhammad Ibn Izzat and Muhammad Arif, two well-known Egyptian authors, identify the Mahdi from the Book of the Revelation: “I find the Mahdi recorded in the books of the Prophet. For instance, the Book of Revelation says: ‘And I saw and behold a white horse. He that sat on him…went forth conquering and to conquer.’” Izzat and Arif then go on to say: “It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Koran (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads.”
President Ahmadinejad is not only a Twelver but is connected with the messianic Hojjatieh Society, which is governed by the conviction that the 12th Imam's return will be hastened by “the creation of chaos on Earth.” Ahmadinejad's ideological mentor and spiritual guide is Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi who believes the 12th Imam's return is “imminent.”
Ahmadinejad believes he was chosen by Allah to start that war, which will then force the Mahdi out of hiding. Ahmadinejad has made no secret of his belief, saying at a mosque recently that he expected such a war within two years.
The idea of beginning a nuclear war to fulfill a religious belief is one that the world cannot fully comprehend. Why? Because they don’t understand how powerful a motivator religious duty becomes. How does one negotiate with a suicide bomber who blows themselves up along with innocent people in the name of their god? The idea that one can reason or negotiate with them to change their belief is not any more likely than your government trying to convince a Christian to deny Jesus Christ!
Jesus said, “Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.”
This past week, a congressional report stated foreign intelligence analysts are fearful that US experts have underestimated Iran’s nuclear capability. Add to that the latest estimates of 7000 centrifuges now in operation, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad could have a nuclear weapon within sixty days.
This my friends, are the times of the signs. Are you ready for Christ return?
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