Commentary on world events that relate to Bible prophecy and on Rapture Ready issues world events.

Sept 25

The Pope, Islam and the Harlot Church

Pope Benedict XVI has become the center of a media firestorm over a statement that strikes me as common as saying the sun will rise tomorrow. During a speech in Germany at a university where he used to teach, he quoted Manuel II Palaeologus, a 14th-century Byzantine Christian emperor, who said: "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached."

I'm not sure what event sparked Manuel II Palaeologus to make his comment. I have to wonder what his majesty would say today about the more recent accomplishment of the followers of Muhammad. Here is a very, very abbreviated list:

* The 9/11 attack that killed more than 3,000 people
* The murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh for making a film that criticized Islam's treatment of women
* The 7/7 London bombings – more than 40 dead
* The 1994 rush-hour bombings in Spain that killed 202
* The terror bombings in India that killed 500
* The Darfur Humanitarian Crisis that left 200,000 dead
* In a single month, violence between Islamic groups in Iraq kills 7,000
* The British police's halt of a plot to blow up a dozen aircraft
* Iran's call for a new holocaust against Israel
* Al Qaeda's death threat against all non-Muslims in Iraq

The ironic thing about Pope Benedict's statement is the reaction it generated in the Muslim world. When confronted by their history, they rioted in the street. One Islamic group came up with the novel idea of protesting "violence against Muslims" by fire-bombing two churches in the West Bank -- neither of which were Catholic. One should not forget the brutal murder of Sister Leonella in the Somali capital of Mogadishu.

Western leaders make the mistake of blaming Al Qaeda for all the terrorist acts. Every day there are some new Islamic groups that take responsibility for some gruesome act of terrorism. To find the root cause, you need to go to the source - the Koran:

* Surah Muhammad [47]:3 says, “When you meet the unbelievers on the battlefield, strike off their heads…."
* Surah Anfal [8]:12 says, “I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the tips of their fingers.”
* Surah al-Nisa’[4]:74 says, “Let those who would exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, fight for the cause of God….”
* Surah al-Nisa’[4]:56 says, “The true believer fights for the cause of God, but the infidel fights for the devil.”
* Surah al-Nisa’[4]:101 says, “The unbelievers are your inveterate enemies.”
* Surah al-Ma’idah [5]:51 says, “Believers, take neither Jews nor Christians for your friends.”

I think a review of the DVD "Is Islam itself violent?" says it best: "Through an examination of the Koran, other Islamic texts, and the example of the prophet Muhammad, this documentary establishes, through a sober and methodical presentation, that violence against non-Muslims is and has always been an integral aspect of Islam. 'Jihad,' while best translated as 'struggle,' as represented in the Koran and the life of Muhammad, means nothing less than organized warfare against unbelievers. Furthermore, Muhammad's life is the sacred and holy model that all faithful Muslims must follow today. Just as Muhammad waged war throughout Arabia in the 7th Century, his followers continued to conquer, enslave, and devastate other peoples and cultures on three continents."

I do not look for a conflict between Islam and Christianity. Bible prophecy tells us that in the last days all major eligions will set aside their differences and join together to form a global religious alliance. The Antichrist will use this organization as a stepping stone for his own plan to set himself up as the world's savior.

Pope John Paul II is credited for holding history's largest pan-religious meeting. In October 1986 and 1995, at the Italian city of Assisi, Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, pagans, Jews, Muslims; Hindus; Shintos; Animist Snake Worshippers, Native Americans, and other religions converged to pray for peace.

John Paul did much to advance the ecumenical movement, but in an odd way, he eventually became one of its biggest obstacles. His support for "inter-faith dialogue" with other world religions was always based on the notion that he, the head of the Catholic Church, must remain supreme. The Russian Orthodox Church was one faith that would have nothing to do with his supremacy talk. Another stumbling block to the harlot church was John Paul's stance on moral issues; liberal faiths could not stomach his strong conservative positions on abortion and gay rights.

Pope Benedict XVI, by getting himself into trouble with the Muslims, may clear away the Catholic roadblocks. He is already singing a new tune about how he respects the Muslim faith. With nearly every other faith yielded to the spirit of comprise, we may soon see the Vatican setting aside doctrinal truth for the sake of unity.

“And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH” (Rev. 17:5).

-- Todd

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The Beginning of the Last of the Last Days: Part 2

There is a scent of endtime things in the air. The media seems to sense this odor that presages apocalypse, while the churches that name the name of Jesus Christ, for the most part, are apparently oblivious to the last days in which this generation, I’m convinced, finds itself. Or, as Mark puts it, there seems to have been a shift of prophetic gears.

Todd and I get media inquiries and requests for interviews on a regular basis these days. And, that is with good reason. Journalistic types –whether one agrees with them so far as world-view is concerned—must be given credit for having talented "news noses" for things that have happened, are happening, or seem about to happen. Again, there is something in the air. The newshounds know it. It's something that portends paradigm change in this troubled world. As pointed out in last week’s column (Part 1 of “The Beginning of the Last of the Last Days"), that shift seemed to have begun surging through the breach in the dam separating good and evil. Instead of the steady, but controllable flow from the dark waters of Daniel’s prophesied endtime flood of issues and events, there now gushes a torrent into civilization. I, like Dr. Mark Hitchcock, as mentioned in last week’s commentary, believe that the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 represent the explosion that produced the breach in that dam.

We pick up where we left off, loosely using Dr. Hitchcock’s seven indicators of this shift, to frame the last days picture of Daniel’s flood (Daniel 9: 26).

3. The modern nation Israel has been under the microscope since its rebirth in 1948. Its existence in the heart of the Holy Land has continued to grow as a bone of contention. That people have been the target for major war-making in several horrific attacks, in addition to the attacks upon its birth on May 14-15, 1948. There was the Nasser-led attack in 1956, the 1967 “Six Day War,” and the 1973 Yom Kippur War led by Anwar Sadat and his Egyptian forces.

Israel continues to be assaulted in vicious attacks, with rockets loaded with explosives being launched against it at every opportunity. The relentless campaign by the terrorist organizations of the Middle East are testimony that Israel is at the center of the flood that is sweeping the world toward Armageddon.

Dr. Mark Hitchcock has stated it correctly: “Israel and Jerusalem will become more and more of a burdensome stone to the nations in the days ahead as the world faces increased threats of terror (Zech 12:1-2).” (Prophecy Update - News & Information for the End Times - 9/13/06).

4. The United States of America was caught in the explosion that was September 11, 2001. As a matter of fact, this nation was and continues to be at the center of the bull's-eye in the terrorists' determination to bring satanic chaos into all the world, until all people on the planet agree to worship the terrorists’ god. America supports Israel’s right to exist; indeed, has and does defend that tiny nation. It is little wonder that Satan directs the minds of the genocidal maniacs into their religious rage to convert or die. Most troubling is the inexplicable tolerance which the world in general extends to these bloodthirsty avengers of fanatic Islam, while at the same time seeming to have disdain and hatred for true Christianity, whose God wants only peace –real peace—for mankind.

5. A most disturbing ramification of the attack on 9/11/01 has been the changing mindset of both government and citizenry about protection against dangerous, liberty-suppressing movement toward Big Brother technology implementation. Fear of future terrorist attacks, even worse than occurred on September 11, 2001, has seriously eroded American’s vigilance against those tendencies that might produce freedom-damaging measures that will eventuate in enslavement.

Again, using Dr. Hitchcock’s words: “Since 9/11, there's been a dramatic increase in surveillance, searches, and security. Almost immediately after 9/11, all kinds of talk erupted about national ID cards, biometric scanners, etc. This situation is ripe for a person to come on the scene and adapt this developing technology to exercise iron-fisted control over the world” (Prophecy Update, 9/13/06). 6. Globalism is another side effect of the breach that was created when the planes struck in New York City, Washington, D.C., and in that Pennsylvania field. International anxieties and fears have begun bringing the world together in a rush of cooperative initiatives. We saw these in action when the threats against the London subways occurred. Instant global restrictions were instituted when it was learned that as many as 10 passenger jetliners were the targets for terrorists, who intended to destroy them while they headed for the United States.

Daniel was given the prophetic preview of a coming final world kingdom with King Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Daniel 2) and with his own vision (Daniel 7).

The humanists are determined to circumvent language and cultural barriers, as well as erase national borders in their drive to go back to the tower of Babel (Genesis 11). Ten kingdoms are prophesied to be formed, with powerful heads of each, who will give their power and authority to the beast --Antichrist (Rev. 17:11-12). One world is Satan’s goal, over which he intends to establish his demonic rule. He has his minions –both supernatural and natural—hard at work to bring his supreme tyrant to that throne.

7. Peace is the issue that has been thrust forward on the world diplomatic stage as never before, due to the prophetic shift that took place on 9/11, unleashing Daniel’s last-days flood. The tyrant mentioned above, which Satan will, according to Bible prophecy, put on his throne for a brief time (2 Thessalonians 2; Revelation Chapter 13) will offer that peace the world is so desperately searching to find. Whether it's the “Roadmap to Peace” proposed by President Bush and Tony Blair or some other formula that will be the nucleus of this endtime peace, a peace is coming. But God says it will be a peace that will be destructive beyond any war of history, save Armageddon itself (read Isa. 28:15, 18). Actually, this peace brought by the rider on the first horse of Apocalypse (Rev. 6:1-2) will set in motion man’s final war, which will climax at the place called Megiddo. It will bring about Armageddon.

The attacks of September 11, 2001 seem the first salvo by General Satan against all that is godly in this world. Christians –all who believe in Christ, and Him alone for salvation of their souls—are God Almighty’s royal ambassadors while living here on earth. There is coming a moment in time when the King will withdraw his royal diplomats who preach and teach true peace from the Prince of Peace. Then, the Lord will make war against the godless. I didn’t say this; God says it in His Word. You can count on what He has said in His Word, the Bible, because He cannot lie.

Almost certainly this generation looks to have entered the last of the last days.

--Terry

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Is Turkey Changing Sides?

In the Qandil (Kandil) Mountains, where Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria all meet lies the ancestral homeland of the Kurds, known in history as the Medes, who were partners with Persia in defeating Babylon.

The Kurds call this area Kurdistan, but the land they refer to technically belongs to the four neighbors mentioned above, none of whom want to give it up. Turkey is perhaps the most determined, having suffered numerous terrorist attacks at the hand of the PUK, a group of militant Kurdish separatists. One of the reasons that Turkey refused to help in the current war in Iraq is that the USA refused to deny the Kurds a voice in governing post-war Iraq.

Turkey has been legitimately afraid that in return for Kurdish assistance in deposing Saddam Hussein (it was the Kurds who located Saddam and tipped off US troops) the US would permit at least unofficial attempts to establish a Kurdish homeland on land that Turkey claims. Turkey has maintained up to 20,000 troops on its border with Iraq to prevent such a move.

And in fact the US has been vacillating on the Kurdish issue, even publishing a map of the region showing the presence of a Kurdish entity. US officials later claimed it didn't accurately reflect US policy. Turkey is skeptical.

Iran sees this situation as an opportunity to further strengthen its regional position and has teamed up with Turkey to assist in removing a force of 5000 PUK soldiers from the area where Iran abuts Iraq in the Qandil Mountains. According to several news and intelligence sources they already have positioned troops some 7-8 km inside Iraq and have begun shelling the mountain hideouts. The situation for Turkey offers some big incentives. Not only do they get help in spanking the PUK, but have made it known that they have their eye on Kirkuk, an Iraqi city in the area that produces 40% of Iraq's oil output, and that Turkey had made claim to before.

For its part Iran also sees a chance grab a chunk of Northern Iraq for itself. In addition Iran wants to destroy forward intelligence positions the Israelis may have secretly placed among the Kurds to help them receive the earliest possible warning of an Iranian attack on Israel. Knocking out these posts would give the Iranians two significant victories against the Israelis within the span of just a few months, the war in Lebanon being the other. The loss of this intelligence would no doubt reduce the possibility for a successful US-Israeli attack against Iran, too. Russian and Iranian intelligence experts are both predicting such an attack before the end of 2006.

Many observers believe it's already too late to stop the Turkey-Iran initiative. The question is whether it will blossom into yet another Mid-East war pitting the US, Iraq, and Israel against Iran, Turkey, and possibly Syria.

Students of prophecy should follow these developments closely. Turkey is felt by most to be a modern component along with Armenia of the Beth Togarmah mentioned in Ezekiel 38:6. We've long said that as long as Turkey is aligned with the west Ezekiel 38 can't happen. Bringing Turkey into the Moslem alliance against Israel would remove one more roadblock to its fulfillment. There aren't many left.

-- Jack Kelley

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