In this article, we are going to look at the Iranian Revolution and the American Revolution. Although America’s presence in the Middle East has often been viewed as a stabilizing force, it has also been complicated because of two very different ideologies.
The American Revolution was founded on the principles of freedom, democracy and capitalism. Christianity has influenced America since its founding. Some may disagree, but many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Christians.
According to an article published by The Gospel Coalition, churches in the United States send more missionaries than any other nation. U.S. churches support approximately 127,000 of the world’s 400,000 missionaries. Because of this, America has played a major role in spreading Christianity around the world.
Now let’s look at the Iranian Revolution and the spread of Islam. The belief system of Islam is based on the absolute authority of Allah and Islamic law, which has been ingrained in Muslim societies for centuries. The word Islam means “submission,” and the word Muslim means “one who submits.”
Who is Allah? Is Allah the God of the Bible? I believe the answer is no. The Bible says in 1 John 2:22, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.”
The Quran, Islam’s sacred book, is believed by Muslims to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad through the archangel Gabriel. It teaches that Allah has no son and refers to Jesus as a prophet rather than the Son of God. The Quran also refers to Allah as “the best of deceivers.” Because of these fundamental theological differences, I believe negotiations based solely on shared religious beliefs are difficult.
Most Shia Muslims believe there have been only 12 true Imams. According to this belief, the Twelfth Imam has been hidden from the world since the ninth century and will one day return to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate. They believe he will appear during a time of worldwide conflict, war and destruction. In this view, these events prepare the way for the coming of the Mahdi, who will establish Islamic rule throughout the world.
Many politicians do not understand this mindset. Today, Israel is surrounded by nations where the majority of the population is Muslim. Many Islamic nations, particularly in the Middle East, consider Israel to be occupying Palestinian land. Christians who believe the Bible view the situation differently.
In Genesis 15:18-21, God made a covenant with Abram, saying, “Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”
Many Muslims are taught that the Mahdi will one day lead a final conflict against Jews and Christians, recapture Palestine and unite Islamic nations into one empire. Both Sunni and Shia traditions include beliefs about the Mahdi, although they differ in many details. Some traditions associate his appearance with Iraq, the region of ancient Babylon described in Genesis 11 and the Book of Daniel.
Both Sunni and Shia traditions recognize the cities of Karbala and Samarra as important in Islamic history. Some Bible prophecy teachers believe certain Islamic traditions concerning the Mahdi parallel biblical descriptions of the Antichrist found in the Book of Revelation.
For example, some traditions describe the Mahdi arriving on a white horse, while Revelation 6 describes a rider on a white horse. Revelation 20:4 speaks of believers being beheaded for their testimony of Jesus.
Some Islamic traditions describe the Mahdi’s rule as lasting seven years, while Daniel 9:27 often associates seven years with the Tribulation. Daniel 11:38 mentions gold and silver, and Daniel 8:9 speaks of a kingdom expanding toward the east.
Muslims did not derive their beliefs about the Mahdi from the Bible. However, many Bible prophecy teachers believe the biblical prophets foresaw events that will occur in the last days.
I believe Islam will play a role in the kingdom of the Beast and in the final empire described in Revelation 17:9-18.
The Bible warns of a coming kingdom that will persecute God’s people and seek to destroy Israel. These events will come to pass according to Scripture.
This does not have to be your future. Jesus said in Luke 21:36, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”
If you are not ready to meet Jesus, will you pray today and ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart? Revelation 3:20 says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
I will be in revival July 19-25 at Brother Jack Wright’s church, New Harvest, on Route 83 in Vansant. Services begin each evening at 7 p.m.
Also, don’t forget the revival that will be held Aug. 6-8 at Roger and Susie Rife Park (formerly Poplar Gap Park) with Brother Joel Ward, Stephen and Lori Ward, J.T. Harman, and Jeremy and Amy Mickles. Services begin nightly at 7 p.m. Please bring your own chair, as the services will be held outdoors. Bleacher seating will also be available.
Stay tuned, The Watchman
