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The Abraham Accords — What You Need to Know

Marcus Walker Van Every9 Comments

No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.

[Genesis 17:5-6]

On September 15, 2020, leaders from the United States, Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates signed an historic peace accord that will begin the normalization of relations between Israel and her surrounding Arab nations. Initiated by President Donald Trump and his administration, The Abraham Accords represent an unprecedented move toward establishing peace in the Middle East.

Now another Muslim-majority nation in North Africa — Morocco — has normalized ties with Israel, and most geopolitical experts believe there will be more Middle Eastern nations to come.

So how did we get here and where are these Abraham Accords going?

How will the Abraham Accords transform the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, and more importantly, will these unprecedented accords lay the groundwork for what many believe to be the last days and the time of Jacob’s trouble?

The Abraham Accords

To find out, we first must look back before we can understand the way forward. We start by going back 4,000 years to the man known as the “father of faith.”

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

[Romans 4:16]

Father Abraham

The three most significant monotheistic religions on earth claim Abraham as a patriarch of the faith. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all trace their origins back to the life and witness of father Abraham. Granted, Abraham had many sons, which eventually grew into many great people groups that settled in the ancient Near East.

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty. Walk before Me and be blameless. 2I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly.” [3]Then Abram fell facedown, and God said to him, 4“As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. 5No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. 6I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.

[Genesis 17:1-6]

The Covenant

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

[Genesis 12:1-3]

The Nation

Abraham did indeed father many nations, but according to the testimony Biblical record — which is the true account of history — the LORD God Almighty only established His covenant of promise with one of Abraham’s descendants. God chose Isaac, not Ishmael, as the son of promise. This is significant because Ishmael’s descendants largely represent the Arab populations of the Middle East, which are now represented as Muslim-majority nations.

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation. 21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

[Genesis 17:17-21]

God’s covenant with Abraham and Isaac was then continued through Isaac’s son, Jacob, the twin brother of Esau [Edom]. The LORD would reaffirm His covent with Jacob by changing His name to Israel — as he would become the father of the 12 tribes of Israel. Esau would later join himself to the tribes of Ishmael becoming perpetual enemies of Israel.

And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” 28Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” 29Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. 

[Genesis 32:27-29]

The Promised Land

God’s covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob [Israel] included some very significant promises. First God promised Israel a land, the boundaries of which were clearly established by the LORD [see Genesis 15:17-21]. This is the Promised Land that was given to Israel after 400 years of bondage in Egypt. As long as Israel loved and obeyed the LORD, He promised to bless and protect and provide for them in the land, but He warned Israel that rebellion and idolatry would result in being expelled from the land.

After you have children and grandchildren and you have been in the land a long time, if you then act corruptly and make an idol of any form—doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God and provoking Him to anger— 26I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you this day that you will quickly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess. You will not live long upon it, but will be utterly destroyed. Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.

[Deuteronomy 4:25-27]

The people of Israel were indeed expelled from the land in three separate invasions and exiles. The Assyrians exiled the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 B.C. The Babylonians exiled the southern kingdom of Judah in 586 B.C., and the Romans destroyed Jerusalem once again and removed whatever remnant of the Jewish population from the land between 70 and 140 A.D.

Amazingly, just as the Bible predicted, God did not completely destroy His chosen people Israel and after nearly 1900 years of exile, the nation of Israel was reborn in the land against all odds.

But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. 31For the LORD your God is a merciful God; He will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers, which He swore to them by oath.

[Deuteronomy 4:29-31]

Of course, the repatriation of the land by the modern state of Israel in 1948 is not the final fulfillment of God’s promise of restoration for Israel. It is, however, a significant prophetic sign of the end of the age that had to be fulfilled in order for God’s prophetic word to be fulfilled in the last days.

The Son of Promise

Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ. 

[Galatians 3:16]

To be clear, the greatest promise of all to Abraham was the coming of the “seed of the woman,” the promised Messiah and Savior of the world [see Genesis 3:15]. All nations of the earth have been blessed with the free gift of eternal life and the forgiveness of sins through the person and work of Jesus Christ, the son of Abraham, the son of David. This is why Gentile believers all over the world also identify with Abraham as the father of faith.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

[Galatians 3:28-29]

Peace in the Middle East

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

[1 Thessalonians 5:2-4]

So will there ever be peace in the Middle East?

The answer is … yes!

But before true peace can be established by the coming Prince of Peace — Jesus Christ — there must be a time of trouble such as the world has never seen before nor ever will again.

The Abraham Accords, in my estimation, are both good and bad.

It is a noble cause to broker peace among enemies and try to normalize relationships among neighboring nations that historically have lived in hostility. I do believe that these accords can create more opportunities for trade, commerce, diplomacy, and the general welfare of all nations involved.

At the same time, I also can see the Abraham Accords laying the groundwork for the coming “covenant with many” — spoken of by the prophet Daniel — and the coming 10-king alliance that will be used by the coming Antichrist to form his Middle Eastern Beast empire.

In other words, whatever “peace” is established among Israel and her neighbors in these last days will only be a temporary peace, leading to a false sense of security.

Daniel identifies this coming evil ruler in the following way.

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.

[Daniel 9:27]

For ships of Kittim shall come against him, and he shall be afraid and withdraw, and shall turn back and be enraged and take action against the holy covenant. He shall turn back and pay attention to those who forsake the holy covenant. 31Forces from him shall appear and profane the temple and fortress, and shall take away the regular burnt offering. And they shall set up the abomination that makes desolate. 32He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.

[Daniel 11:30-32]

It is very possible that the Abraham Accords are normalizing relations in the Middle East in order to prime Israel’s neighbors for a future covenant that will set the stage for the emergence of the “little horn” — aka the Beast.

We also know that the Beast will assume power over a ten-king coalition and turn against Israel in the end, leading one final invasion of the holy land and one last exile of God’s people.

“Thus he said: ‘As for the fourth beast,

There shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
24As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.
25He shall speak words against the Most High,
and shall wear out the saints of the Most High,
and shall think to change the times and the law;
and they shall be given into his hand
for a time, times, and half a time.

[Daniel 7:23-25]

And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. 13These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. 14They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

[Revelation 17:12-14]

The prophetic word has told us the end of the story. It has been written.

These new developments should give us pause to ponder the coming of the great tribulation, pray for the people of Israel and her neighbors, and put our hope in the coming King!

Most of all, as more pieces of the prophetic puzzle fall into place, we must remain unshaken in our resolve and unmovable in our faith in Jesus Christ.

Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus. Come!

Jesus Christ Does Not COEXIST

Marcus Walker Van Every3 Comments

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

[Jesus Christ — Matthew 10:33-34]

Whether Buddhists or Hindus or Mormons or Muslims — pagans or heathens or atheists or agnostics. They have one thing in common. They neither know, love, nor worship the One True Living God and His Son Jesus Christ. Every cult and false religion and heretical denomination in this world are at odds with the Word and Truth of God — Jesus Christ.

That’s the thing about truth — it is by definition exclusive. For something to be true, it must be at the exclusion of all other options. There can be only one truth — not many. Truth must be objective, not subjective. Otherwise it ceases to be truth. Truth is outside our time domain. It is the standard that by necessity transcends our own vain imaginations, limited knowledge, and biased perspectives. It is immovable, immutable, and infallible. Truth is not defined. It must be discovered.

So that becomes the test. Of all the different belief systems, world religions and so-called “paths” to God, which one is true? Are they all true? Which one conforms to reality? Which one passes the test of authenticity? We have billions of people claiming to have discovered the true way and the enlightened path — even if that path is their own. We have a million ways of looking at God and reality, yet there can only be one true God and one true reality.

That is the absurdity of moral relativism and religious syncretism. In the pursuit of inclusiveness, you cut objective truth off at its legs and replace it with that which is right in your own eyes. You deny the Maker who gave you life and at the same time create a vain god in your own image.

Yet when it comes to the Person, work and teaching of Jesus Christ, we discover a man who claims to be God in the flesh and self-identifies as the Creator and Savior of the whole world. We discover a man who validates His claim through His manifest miracles, wisdom, power, and authority, and ultimately through His glorious resurrection from the dead.

We discover Truth is not just a virtue, it is a Person — embodied in Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Neutrality is not an option. Either He is who He claims to be, or Jesus is a lying religious fraud who was mentally deranged for claiming to be the God of Israel incarnate and the Savior of the whole world.

The implications are paramount.

If Jesus Christ is NOT Lord of all, then at best He is a lying lunatic and at worst a deceitful devil from hell. If He lied about who He is, then why should anything He says ever be trusted? Why would anyone follow a dead charlatan?

Yet if Jesus Christ is who He claims to be, then He is Creator and Lord and therefore has designed all of reality and defined all true morality and has set the terms of eternity and ultimately judges the hearts and intentions of humanity.

His name — the name of Jesus — is ABOVE every name that is named and could not possibly be equal to any other name.

Let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

[Acts 4:10-12]

In short — Jesus Christ is not an equal among peers. Jesus isn’t just another religious leader like Buddha or Mohammed or Darwin. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.

For this reason, I cannot and will not validate or associate with the modern COEXIST movement and mentality because in doing so I am reducing my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to a status far below His true, eternal nature. Jesus is no mere man, offering one of the many paths to God. He is God, offering the one and only gift of eternal life.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

[Philippians 2:9-11]

Let’s consider the COEXIST mentality, then. The idea that all faiths can unite for a common cause, putting our obvious differences aside for the common good. This is part of a broader world-wide interfaith movement. On the surface it sounds commendable and progressive, but there is one glaring problem for those who know and love Jesus Christ.

He is the only guest who isn’t invited to the table. Sure, some perverted, compromised version of Jesus has been included, but not the historical Jesus. Not the Biblical Jesus. Not the exclusive Jesus. Not the true Jesus Christ.

This is why it is so dangerous to see mainline Christian denominations and the Roman Catholic Church compromising the true gospel of Jesus Christ in the name of tolerance and the universal brotherhood of man.

Catholic-Muslim Interfaith Council

Does the true Jesus coexist on the same level as other gods and prophets? Does Jesus belong in the same category? Does Jesus stand on equal footing?

According to COEXIST philosophy, He does.

According to Jesus and His gospel, He does not.

So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep …

“I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30I and the Father are one.”

[Jesus Christ — John 10:7-11, 25-30]

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

[Jesus Christ — John 11:25-26]

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me … I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.

[Jesus Christ — John 14:1, 6-7]

Jesus Christ belongs in a category all by Himself — God of gods, Lord of lords, King of kings, Creator and Judge. He doesn’t coexist alongside other gods. He is highly exalted above everything in all creation!

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of His mighty strength, 20which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, 23which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all

[Ephesians 1:18-22]

I cannot in good faith affirm the COEXIST mantra because Jesus Christ does not affirm it. By affirming COEXIST I am fundamentally denying my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is contrary to His nature and His gospel. He provides no other option.

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

[Jesus Christ — Matthew 12:30]

Jesus Christ is not a way of life. He is the Way of Life. He isn’t just another religious option. He is the One and Only Son of God and Savior of the World.

He did not come to bring peace but a sword because He will not share His glory with another. All who reject Him and refuse to bow the knee to Him are condemned already and remain under the wrath of a Holy God. Only by exclusively acknowledging Jesus Christ as Lord and believing in Him as Savior can anyone make peace with God and receive the promise of eternal life.

There is no other way, which is why Jesus Christ and His gospel cannot coexist with anything or anyone contrary to Him. For in the end, what does light have to do with darkness.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

[2 Corinthians 6:14]

May the name of Jesus Christ forever be exalted to the praise of His glory. Amen!

A Deep Dive into Daniel — Part 8 — Iran vs Turkey

Marcus Walker Van Every2 Comments

“As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the shaggy goat is the king of Greece. And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.”

Daniel 8:20-21

As I said in my last post about Daniel 8, the vision Daniel received was concerning the appointed time of the end, which means that it will occur in the latter days and is yet future. If this interpretation is accurate, then we should expect a regional conflict between the modern states of Iran and Turkey in the comings days. This regional war will be critical, primarily because of the geopolitical shuffling that will take place afterward.

According to Daniel, the little horn — aka Antichrist — will emerge on the world stage following the war between Iran and Turkey [see Daniel 8:8-14].

So let’s investigate this a little further from both a Biblical and a geopolitical perspective.

Biblical Greece is JAVAN — Modern-Day Turkey

While most scholars, historians, and political pundits universally agree that the ancient empire of Medo-Persia represents the modern-day state of Iran, there is some debate and disagreement about the modern-day identity of ancient Greece — or Javan. From a contemporary western perspective, Greece is usually associated with the Greek Isles of Eastern Europe, but a closer look at the Biblical identity of Greece — Javan — provides a more accurate picture.

Javan was the fourth son born to Japheth, son of Noah (Genesis 10:2), whose descendants traditionally settled in the coastlands of Asia Minor around the Aegean Sea. Javan is identified with ancient Ionia — or Anatolia — which occupied the territory of modern-day Turkey. Ancient Greece primarily is associated with the Macedonian Empire that reached its zenith under Alexander the Great, King of Javan. Of course ancient Greece included the Greek Isles, but the heart of Javan has always been Asia Minor — aka modern-day Turkey. Under Alexander, Greece expanded south and eastward into Northern Africa and the Middle East, eventually conquering Persia.

This distinction is essential in understanding Daniel 8 because modern-day Turkey (Javan) not only is the most powerful Sunni Muslim nation in the world, but also it has been flexing its muscles and expressing ambition to reestablish the Islamic Caliphate under the leadership of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

Erdoğan became Turkish Prime Minister in 2003 and since has established unprecedented unilateral power of the government. His blind ambition to enforce Turkish dominance in the Middle East is no secret. Turkey has the means and motive to demonstrate their military power at any given moment.

If we are reading Daniel 8 correctly, then there is good reason to believe that the shaggy goat is representative of Turkey and the “first king” could be President Erdoğan, especially if he succeeds in reestablishing the Caliphate.

Iran is a Time Bomb Waiting to Explode

Then there is Iran — the two-horned ram represented by the ancient empire of Medo-Persia. Ancient Media [circa 680-550 B.C.] rose to power first and represents the disputed land of the modern-day Kurds — or Kurdistan. Cyrus the Great later conquered Media creating the massive Persian empire in 550 B.C. Persia came up later but conquered a much greater land mass than Media. The Persians maintained dominance in the Middle East for 200 years until Alexander the Great conquered them in 330 B.C.

Many have speculated how Iran could have “two kings,” or horns in the last days, as predicted by Daniel 8. One possibility is that a reunification of Kurdistan in the near future could create a province under the authority of the Iranian regime. The Kurds have been fighting for survival and identity for generations. Kurdistan is in no-man’s land and is landlocked on both sides by Iran in the east and Turkey on the west.

Iran already is operating in Kurdistan and Iraq through military proxies, and it only makes sense that Iran could potentially become more aggressive in the region pushing up against Turkey’s presence in the west. Any Iranian expansion to the west would automatically be considered a threat to Turkey, which could provoke Erdoğan to launch an all out assault against the Shiites. The radical, apocalyptic regime in Tehran has proven to be a time bomb just waiting to explode.

Other factors like the current social instability surrounding COVID-19, plummeting oil prices, locust plagues and potential food shortages could also have these two regional competitors on edge. The fragile geopolitical climate in the Middle East is one trigger event away from war.

If Daniel 8 is true, then we should pay close attention to every future development in the region. As the story goes, we can expect Iran to begin an aggressive military campaign in Kurdistan and Iraq, forcing Turkey to respond and stop them in their tracks.

Once Turkey cripples Iran, Daniel says that the “first king” will be suddenly broken off and replaced by four kings. I believe one possible scenario is that once Turkey defeats Iran in a regional conflict and gains control over Iraq, Kurdistan, and Iran, then the presiding president will either die or be ousted, which will create the four provinces of Turkey, Iraq, Kurdistan, and Iran.

“I saw him come close to the ram, and he was enraged against him and struck the ram and broke his two horns. And the ram had no power to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled on him. And there was no one who could rescue the ram from his power. Then the goat became exceedingly great, but when he was strong, the great horn was broken, and instead of it there came up four conspicuous horns toward the four winds of heaven.”

Daniel 8:7-8

Then four kings — or horns — will assume power in each province, and out of one of these four kings, the little horn will emerge and grow exceedingly great.

There may not be a more definitive prophecy in all of Scripture that reveals the identity of the Antichrist. Suddenly, this difficult passage shows great prophetic value for the generation living in the last days.

Next time, I will do my best to dive deeper into the initial career of the little horn, as revealed by Daniel 8. Until then …

Maranatha!

A Deep Dive into Daniel — Part 2 — The Iron Kingdom of Islam

Marcus Walker Van EveryLeave a comment

“And there shall be a fourth kingdom, strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes, it shall break and crush all these.”

Daniel 2:40

In Part One of this series, I established that all four kingdoms of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream would occupy the same general land mass — or “ara” [אֲרַע] — see Daniel 2:39. The historical empires of Babylon, Persia, and Greece [Javan] were subsequent kingdoms that dominated the same territories in the Middle East and parts of Northern Africa. The geographical context provides the key to understanding the fourth and final kingdom that will emerge in the latter days.

By discovering the Middle Eastern context of the fourth kingdom, we can eliminate any chance for a “revived” Roman Empire as a valid candidate for the end-times kingdom of Antichrist. You can read here to get a more in-depth explanation as to why I reject the Roman Empire as the legs of iron in Daniel 2.

Furthermore, I established that the fourth and final kingdom — the legs and feet of iron mixed with clay — represents the end-times kingdom of the Beast [Antichrist]. This iron kingdom will be shattered by a “stone” not cut by human hands — meaning that this “stone” will originate from the God of heaven [Daniel 2:44]. Immediately after the “stone” from heaven destroys the fourth kingdom, God will establish His everlasting kingdom — his holy mountain — that will fill the whole earth.

When I take all of these things into consideration, there is only one legitimate candidate for the fourth kingdom of the last days. The legs of iron mixed with clay will be the Iron Kingdom of a revived Islamic Empire. While the European Union is weakening and disintegrating, Islam remains the fastest growing religious ideology in the world and remains a formidable force in the Middle East and around the world.

Let’s consider some more details that support Islam as the iron legs and feet mixed with clay.

Islam is Brutal but Fragile

Daniel 2 provides an interesting detail about this fourth and final kingdom in the last days. On the one hand it will be strong like iron, shattering and crushing everyone it conquers. From its inception, Islam has thrived in military conquest, using terrorism, oppression, and total domination of its enemies. The brutal tactics of Islam are well documented in both Muslim and secular sources. Islam is a merciless ideology that either kills or subjugates all conquered peoples and forces them to completely conform to the oppressive measures of shariah law.

As powerful as the Roman Empire became at its zenith, it never was characterized by annihilating other civilizations but rather allowed most conquered peoples to retain their cultural and religious identity. Not so in Islam. It is fiercely dominant and forces everyone to comply with sharia law and bow at the feet of Allah.

On the other hand, however, Islam is surprisingly fragile in and of itself and historically has been characterized by inner turmoil, religious factions, and political instability. Daniel speaks to this instability by saying that the fourth kingdom, although strong as iron, will at the same time be a “brittle” and “divided” kingdom — symbolized by the iron mixed with clay.

“And as you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle.” 

Daniel 2:41-42

It is interesting that almost every closed Islamic system quickly disintegrates into civil unrest and conflict. Peace and harmony are not common qualities found in Islamic society. This, of course, should come as no surprise since the Bible predicted the future plight of the descendants of Ishmael, who are predominately Muslim today.

And the angel of the LORD said to her,

“Behold, you are pregnant
and shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
because the LORD has listened to your affliction.
He shall be a wild donkey of a man,
his hand against everyone
and everyone’s hand against him,
and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”

Genesis 16:11-12

Furthermore, Islam is especially fragile when one considers the perpetual schism between the Sunni and Shia branches of the Muslim faith. Although the Shia only represent 15-20% of Islam worldwide — mostly in Iran (Persia) — they retain significant influence and also represent a very extreme apocalyptic — almost fatalistic — ideology.

If the Antichrist — the Beast — is to emerge out of Islam, then one of his first objectives will be to somehow unify the Islamic world and bring the fragile factions of both Shia and Sunni together — perhaps through intermarriage [see Daniel 2:43]. Our study of Daniel 8 and 11 will provide more details about how this may happen, but for now, I would like to conclude by making mention of the ten toes in the metal image.

Ten Toes Represent Ten Kings

We discover that the ten toes in Daniel 2 are ten kings who will make an attempt at unification but ultimately will not hold together [Daniel 2:43-44]. This prophecy says that it will be in the “days of those kings” that the God of heaven will establish His kingdom that will never be destroyed.

The question is … what kings? Does the Bible provide any more support for a 10-king coalition brought together under the authority of the Antichrist in the last day?

Yes it does. Both Daniel and the book of Revelation further develop this important detail. I will leave you with some critical passages that are connected to the ten toes in Daniel 2.

“After this I saw in the night visions, and behold, a fourth beast, terrifying and dreadful and exceedingly strong. It had great iron teeth; it devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet. It was different from all the beasts that were before it, and it had ten horns.”

Thus he said:

“As for the fourth beast,there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth,
which shall be different from all the kingdoms,
and it shall devour the whole earth,
and trample it down, and break it to pieces.
As for the ten horns,
out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise,
and another shall arise after them;
he shall be different from the former ones,
and shall put down three kings.”

Daniel 7:7, 23-24

“And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority.”

Revelation 13:1-2

“And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received royal power, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast. These are of one mind, and they hand over their power and authority to the beast. They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”

Revelation 17:12-14

Iran — Another Important Piece in the Prophetic Puzzle

Marcus Walker Van EveryLeave a comment

“The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days, but Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I was left there with the kings of Persia.”

[Daniel 10:13]

Obvious attention has been given to the escalating tension between Iran and the United States. Iran has carried out numerous acts of war through military aggression, terrorism, espionage, and piracy in the Middle East. Not to mention Iran’s direct involvement with mercenaries and proxies throughout the region, including Iraq, Yemen, Syria, the Gaza Strip [Hamas], Lebanon [Hezbollah], and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has been working relentlessly to acquire and develop nuclear weapons — if they don’t have them already — brandishing ballistic missiles with intercontinental range. Let’s not forget Iran’s irrational hatred for Israel. Not only does the Holy Land sit basically in Iran’s own back yard, but Israel considers Iran its most-serious and imminent threat to survival.

Iran’s most recent act of war was a strategic attack on our U.S. Embassy in Iraq. The U.S. military wasted no time and carried out a precise drone strike on Iran’s top general — Qassem Soleimani — killing him and his entourage outside the Iraqi Airport on New Year’s Day. The swift response by President Trump somewhat stunned Iran, who vowed revenge by raising the notorious red flag of war over the country.

But now Canada, France and Ukraine are demanding answers after a passenger jet leaving the Iranian Airport allegedly was shot down by an Iranian surface to air missile — killing everyone on board. While an investigation is pending at this time, it is difficult to believe that this latest act of terror was in any way accidental or coincidental.

For good reason, the world is taking notice to the mounting tensions in the spiritual epicenter of the world. Many have a sense that this latest exchange somehow is different, perhaps providing the spark that will set many unpredictable and consequential fires into motion.

But regardless of the potential geopolitical dynamics and regardless of how the media machine will spin the truth and redismisinate misinformation, we must be able to view everything through the lenses of Scripture to see the whole picture.

As followers of Christ and students of the Word, we must grasp the deeper, more substantial issues with Iran, which include the historical, the spiritual and the prophetic.

Historical Persia

From the original table of 70 nations in Genesis 10, the ethnic and geographic roots of modern-day Iran can be traced back to Elam — the son of Shem and grandson of Noah. After the dispersement of the nations at Babel, Elam settled in the territory northeast of the modern day Persian Gulf and eventually rose to prominence as a world power in the 6th Century B.C.

From a biblical perspective, Media/Persia provides a critical historical backdrop for many of the Old Testament authors, including Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, Zechariah, Ester, Haggai, and Malachi. As we will see, Persia represents both the historical kingdom contemporary with the likes of Daniel and Esther, and the future territory of ancient Elam/modern-day Iran, which plays a key role in the end times and is a key piece to the prophetic puzzle.

Through decades of military conquest and expansion, the Persian Empire [circa 550-330 B.C.] absorbed one of the largest imperial land masses in the ancient world, including Media, Babylon, Egypt, Asia Minor, Assyria, and parts of India. Finally in 330 B.C., Macedonian King Alexander the Great conquered Persia and brought the dynasty to an end.

http://mapsofwar.com

Daniel refers to Persia — like the other major world empires — in cryptic and apocalyptic language. Yet using the context, the external data and the internal witness of the Scriptures, we can be confident in the historical reliability of Daniel’s vision and also in the prophetic accuracy of things to come. Here are some examples.

  1. Persia is the second kingdom represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, as described by its chest and arms of silver. You can read Daniel’s interpretation in Daniel 2:31-45.
  2. The 2nd beast kingdom in Daniel 7, as described as a bear raised up on one side [Daniel 7:5].
  3. The ram with two horns in Daniel 8.

After Javan (Ancient Greece/Macedonia) conquered Persia, it has remained somewhat on the periphery of the geopolitical main stage and Biblical timeline until just recently. Inspired by radical Shia Islam, the Iranian regime has emerged once again as a significant player in the Middle East.

These most recent developments also force me to wonder if Iran has started down a path of defiance and has passed the point of no return?

Spiritual Persia

The Persians historically are known for embracing pagan idolatry and polytheism — like virtually every Gentile nation that was established after the tower of Babel. Later at the height of the empire, Zoroastrianism officially was the most highly regarded and widely practiced religion in Persia. Zoroastrianism would dominate Persian spiritual and cultural life for over 1,000 years, until Islam brought jihad to Persia in the 7th Century A.D. and subdued the land under Shariah.

Historically, the spiritual complexion of Persia has been very dark and oppressive. Persia is not known for being a spiritual beacon of light and hope to the rest of the world. Persia has not been known for being a haven of spiritual liberty. Persia certainly is not known for worshiping and honoring Yahweh — the Most High God. Quite the contrary. Persia is one of Israel’s great traditional enemies.

Furthermore, Persia — aka Iran — has been one of the most restrictive nations of the gospel of Jesus Christ in recent memory. Since the revolution and regime change in the 1970s, Iranian followers of Jesus have been systematically purged by the radical Muslims.

That is … Until NOW!

In the midst of all of this chaos, conflict and confusion, the Word of the LORD has broken free in Iran, the Spirit of God has been poured out on the people or Iran, and Iranians are turning in faith to Jesus Christ in record numbers.

We are witnessing at this time one of the greatest revivals on planet earth. Many are receiving the gospel message from the resurrected Jesus Himself in dreams and visions. The underground church is growing like wildfire, and it has much to do with the relentless courage and obedience of the faithful women of Iran, who are unashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ even unto death! [discover more here]

Of course this reminds us of the testimony of both the prophet Joel and the Apostle Peter.

 “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your old men shall dream dreams,
and your young men shall see visions.
Even on the male and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit … before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.”

[Joel 2:28-29, 31b]

It is through Messiah — the Lord Jesus Christ — that the Most High God is reclaiming the nations as a people for His own possession, so that everyone who calls in faith upon the name of the Lord Jesus — whether Jew or Gentile — will be saved and will become heirs of God’s kingdom.

This is why Paul makes a direct connection between the promised “seed” of Abraham and the blessing of all the nations on the earth (Genesis 12:1-3). We know that the promised “Seed” is Jesus Christ — the son of Abraham — who would eventually bring into fulfillment all that Yahweh promised the nations.

Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith … for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith … There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.

[Galatians 3:7-9, 26, 28-29 ]

It is by grace through faith in Christ that any of us inherit the promises God made to the patriarchs. So today, may we give God all the glory for demonstrating His grace and power among the Iranian people by redeeming those who at one time were not His people. Through Christ, God is including the Gentiles and bringing them into the commonwealth of Israel and the family of God, incorporating them into His body and calling people from every nation His beloved bride.

While we rejoice with God for His saving grace for the people of Iran, we also must recognize the spiritual component of evil resonating and influencing the kings and rulers of Iran. Although the Son of God ultimately reigns supreme over every nation, there remains an ancient spiritual principality and power controlling the Persian regime, and this supernatural prince of Persia will not surrender quietly.

The PrincIPALITY OF PERSIA

According to the Biblical testimony, the Most High God — Yahweh — effectively disinherited the nations in response to their rebellion at Babel and relinquished the nations over to rebellious sons of God, called princes. These divine princes at one time were included in God’s heavenly council and sat alongside Yahweh on thrones. These princes were given authority by Yahweh to participate with Him in accomplishing His will and purposes in heaven and on earth.

The rebellion of the divine council and Babel episode are the only Biblical explanations sufficient to explain the presence of the supernatural prince of Persia in Daniel 10. As Gabriel resisted and contended with the prince of Persia for 21 days, the reader is given a glimpse behind the scenes into the spiritual battles taking place between the principalities and the powers in the heavens and on earth.

Both Moses and Paul agree that the Babel episode is the exact moment in history when God divided up the nations and set their boundaries according to the number of the sons of God, while claiming Israel as His own portion on the earth.

“When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the LORD’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage.”

[Deuteronomy 32:8-9]

“You should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.”

[Acts 14:15-16]

 “And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us.”

[Acts 17:26-27]

Instead of honoring Yahweh and submitting to His authority, these sons of God rebelled and set themselves up as the heathen gods of the Gentile nations, introducing to mankind all forms of evil, idolatry, violence, astrology, sorcery, divination, occult ritual, human sacrifice, moral debauchery, and pagan superstition. All the nations of the earth universally have been vassal nations for the heathen gods. These dark princes and supernatural rebels have been working relentlessly behind the scenes for millennia to disrupt God’s plan and destroy God’s people.

That is precisely why the LORD has pronounced judgment on the gods of the nations. They have dealt corruptly with mankind. They have sought worship and power and glory above the One True God. They have abused their power and kept the people in darkness. They have abandoned their loyalty and allegiance to Yahweh.

God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

[Psalm 82:1-5

The New Testament categorizes these supernatural spiritual forces as the cosmic rulers, principalities and powers, thrones, dominions and authorities in the heavenly places. Satan is the chief prince of the demons and has been given the authority over the kingdoms of the world [Luke 4:5-8]; therefore, the Devil is at the head of the enemy hierarchy.

More than demons — who primarily torment individuals — these evil princes have substantial control over national and international affairs in the world.

Just as God has promised to judge the nations, all human rebels and all the ungodly on that Day when Christ comes, He also will judge the divine rebels on that Day, when He inherits the earth and takes His seat on His throne as King and LORD!

This leads us to the last aspect of Persia — the prophetic.

Prophetic Persia

The Prophets Daniel and Ezekiel provide the most comprehensive account of the prophetic destiny of Persia/Elam. We will first consider Daniel 8 and then Ezekiel 38-39.

Daniel is visited by the angelic messenger, Gabriel, and given a prophecy about a regional conflict in the last days. Gabriel emphasizes three times to Daniel that his vision was concerning the time of the end [Daniel 8:17, 19, 26]. Many scholars believe Daniel 8 has already been fulfilled through the historical exploits of Alexander the Great, and although the prophecy may partially have been foreshadowed by these past events, it is clear that it involves two nations in the last days — Javan — the goat –and Persia — the ram.

“As for the ram that you saw with the two horns, these are the kings of Media and Persia. And the goat is the king of Greece (Javan). And the great horn between his eyes is the first king.”

[Daniel 8:20-21]

According to Daniel’s vision, we can expect a regional conflict between modern-day Javan (Turkey) and modern-day Persia (Iran) at the time of the end. This prophecy predicts that Iran — the ram — will grow in power and prominence in the last days and then will be confronted by Turkey — the goat — who will defeat Iran and shift the power in the Middle East.

As you can imagine, with the instability and turmoil in the Middle East and a political vacuum existing in Iraq and Syria, it is not difficult to see a conflict erupt between Turkey and Iran for control of the region.

More importantly, we discover that the Antichrist himself — the little horn — will begin to emerge on the political scene following this coming conflict and transfer of power.

Now to the other prophetic passage in Ezekiel that outlines the role Persia will play in the final battle of Armageddon. According to Ezekiel 38, Persia is one of the primary nations that aligns itself with Gog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. I have written extensively about why Gog is the end-times Antichrist, so I will not spend time defending that here.

As the false prophet sends our demonic spirits to the kings of the earth in the last days to gather them for what is known as the Battle of Armageddon, Persia will fall in step [Ezekiel 38:1-6, Revelation 16, Zechariah 12-14].

“Elam is there, and all her multitude around her grave; all of them slain, fallen by the sword, who went down uncircumcised into the world below, who spread their terror in the land of the living; and they bear their shame with those who go down to the pit.”

[Ezekiel 32:24]

It will be at this unequaled moment in time that the Lord of Glory will return from heaven to strike down the nations, judge the Antichrist and his armies, and punish the evil principalities and powers in heavenly places.

And how will the rebel sons of God be judged? What will it cost the supernatural princes who declared treason against Yahweh?

They all will be cast down and die like a men. Every prince will be thrown down to the earth and die a mortals death. Let us finish Psalm 82.

I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;
nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”

Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!

[Psalm 82:6-8]

Isaiah adds …

“On that day the LORD will punish
the host of heaven, in heaven,
and the kings of the earth, on the earth.
They will be gathered together
as prisoners in a pit;
they will be shut up in a prison,
and after many days they will be punished.”

[Isaiah 24:21-22]

Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.

Reflections from the Holy Land — No Peace in the Middle East

Marcus Walker Van EveryLeave a comment

“Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.”

[Galatians 4:28]

The ancient city of Jerusalem was built on a mountain called Moriah, which remains to this day. Mt. Moriah is significant on many different levels because it holds the key to understanding the age-old conflict in the Middle East between two people groups — Jews and Arabs.

We are first introduced to Mt. Moriah in Genesis 22, when the LORD tests Abraham’s allegiance and faith by asking him to do the very last thing he could have possibly imagined — sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac.

Abraham, unwavering in his faith in the LORD, took his son Isaac and journeyed to the foot of this sacred mountain. It was there on that rock that God would demonstrate one of the greatest foreshadowings of the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ.

Later King David and his son Solomon would choose that very same rock to build the Temple for the LORD. This is where sacrifices were made for atonement and where the high priest of Israel would mediate for his people. This was the place where sinful man could meet with Holy God and seek restoration. The Temple is where God manifested His glory before the people and where they would worship Him in reverence.

“Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to David his father, at the place that David had appointed, on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.”

[2 Chronicles 3:1]

It is evident that the LORD has chosen that mountain as His own resting place for His name to be remembered forever. Consider what the LORD told Solomon at the dedication of the Temple on Mount Moriah.

And the LORD said to him, “I have heard your prayer and your plea, which you have made before me. I have consecrated this house that you have built, by putting my name there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.”

[1 Kings 9:3]

Abraham and Isaac

After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

[Genesis 22:1-2]

Picture Abraham, an old man by this time, deliberately climbing the rough terrain of Moriah with his beloved son Isaac by his side. Picture him marching the son of promise to the place of his imminent death. Isaac bearing the wood for his own sacrifice on his back, submitting to his father’s will. Abraham had waited years to finally see the LORD provide this son of promise against all odds, and now the LORD was asking Abraham to lay his beloved son down on that rock and offer him as a sacrifice. Would Abraham be willing to give the one thing he loved the most back to God?

Abraham’s faith proved remarkable. Consider what the Scriptures say about his trust in God.

Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.”

[Genesis 22:5]

And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together

[Genesis 22:7-8]

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.’ He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”

[Hebrews 11:17-19]

The obedience displayed by Abraham and his son Isaac and the provision of God on that sacred mountain should deeply resonate within every believer because it effectively foreshadows the Person and redemptive work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The chart below shows how this one event is perhaps the greatest picture of the gospel in the Old Testament.

Abraham and Ishmael

The Arab people living in the Middle East are direct descendants from Abraham’s son, Ishmael, and to a lesser extent Isaac’s son, Esau. While waiting for the LORD to deliver on His promise for a son, Sarai became anxious and took matters into her own hands, suggesting that Abram sleep with the maidservant, Hagar. Abraham foolishly succumbed to his wife’s persuasion and a son was born to Hagar named Ishmael.

Although Abraham loved his son, Ishmael, this one act of disobedience caused perpetual turmoil and dysfunction in the home, and the LORD rebuked Abraham by reminding him that His covenant would not be established though Ishmael, who was illegitimate, but through Isaac, the son of promise. God still had compassion for Hagar and Ishmael and promised to make Ishmael into the father of a great nation (i.e. Arabs), but He unequivocally established his covenant with Isaac, not Ishmael. This is very significant in understanding the ongoing conflict between the Arabs and the Jews in Israel.

“And Abraham said to God, “Oh that Ishmael might live before you!” 19God said, “No, but Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his offspring after him. 20As for Ishmael, I have heard you; behold, I have blessed him and will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He shall father twelve princes, and I will make him into a great nation.21But I will establish my covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this time next year.”

[Genesis 17:18-21]

The reason this land is so fiercely disputed is because the Arabs, and more specifically the Muslim Arabs, claim Abraham as their father and therefore claim the land for themselves as his rightful heirs. It is true that Arabs are physical descendants of Abraham, but it is also true that the LORD did not establish his covenant with Ishmael, but rather Isaac. That is why He repeatedly calls Himself the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob — not Ishmael.

Although many Muslims today will claim that it was Ishmael who was carried up to Moriah to be sacrificed by Abraham, there is little historical support for such a claim in the Quran and the Muslim Hadith. As a matter of fact, there is actually more support in the Muslim writings that Isaac was the son Abraham took up on the mountain. You can read more here.

We must remember, that Islam emerged on the scene in the 7th Century A.D., which is over 2,600 years after the life of Abraham and over 2,000 years after Moses wrote the Torah. Anything the Muslim traditions add to the Scriptures of outright change must be categorically rejected.

This disagreement about the offspring of Abraham is at the heart of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and unfortunately as long as Islam and Judaism exist and both live in that land, there is little hope for a resolution.

Which is why we must proclaim the truth to both unbelieving Jews and Muslims alike that they both are missing the True Son who made the ultimate sacrifice on that mountain — God’s beloved Son, the One and Only Savior of the world, Jesus Christ! And only in Christ will there ever be peace — peace with God, peace with mankind, and ultimately peace eternal in God’s kingdom!

Jesus Christ — the Prince of Peace

Perhaps no one has said it best than Christian Apologist Ravi Zacharias. Ravi at one point had the unique opportunity to speak with Sheikh Talal Sider, one of the founders of Hamas, and inspired by the Holy Spirit Ravi said the following.

But the last day, I saw one of the leaders of Hamas, one of the four founders. I went there for one reason; I had one question for him. He gave us a great meal, told us of eighteen years he’d served in prison, some of his children had been lost in suicide bombings, and this and that. And I had a question. I said, “Sheik, I may never see you again and forgive me if I’m asking you the wrong question. Please tell me, what do you think of suicide bombing and sending your children out like that?” I didn’t like his answer. I couldn’t say much. The room was full of smoke.

After he finished his answer, I said, “Sheik, you and I may never see each other again, so I want you to hear me. A little distance from here is a mountain upon which Abraham went 5,000 years ago to offer his son. You may say the son was one; I may say it’s another. Let’s not argue about that. He took his son up there. And as the axe was about to fall, God said, ‘Stop.’” I said, “Do you know what God said after that?” He shook his head. I said, “God said, ‘I myself will provide.’” He nodded his head. I said, “Very close to where you and I are sitting, Sheik, is a hill. Two thousand years ago, God kept that promise and brought his own Son and the axe did not stop this time. He sacrificed his own Son.” 

I said, “Sheik, I just want you to hear this. Until you and I receive the Son God has provided, we’ll be offering our own sons and daughters on the battlefields of this world for many of the wrong reasons.”

http://www.rzim.org/USA/USFV/tabid/436/ArticleID/10018/CBModuleId/881/Default.aspx

An Outpouring of God’s Mercy on Muslims

Marcus Walker Van Every2 Comments

“And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams … And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

[Acts 2:17, 21]
Iranian Christians at a prayer vigil

Just this week President Donald Trump publicly responded to Iranian aggression in the Middle East with a serious threat of his own.

“If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again.”

[President Donald Trump Twitter feed — May 18, 2019]

But as geopolitical tensions mount in the Middle East, a spiritual awakening is also taking place in the region. God has been moving in mighty and miraculous ways among the Muslim people, as regular reports continue to spread about the masses of Muslims who are coming to faith in Jesus Christ through a most unusual way — dreams and visions.

“An Iranian Christian pastor claimed at the time that there’s a stunning revival underway in his country, where he says the number of Christian adherents has increased from 100,000 in 1994 to 3 million today. Some claim Jesus has been appearing in dreams and that those visions have helped spark the conversions.”

https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/63635-dreams-and-visions-of-jesus-are-fueling-the-explosive-growth-of-christianity-in-muslim-nations-worldwide

It seems that the LORD is pouring out His Spirit in some of the most hostile and restrictive nations in the world, and He is revealing Himself to millions through dreams and visions. The overwhelming majority of these supernatural accounts are unmistakably similar. Millions of Muslims are risking their lives and leaving everything behind to follow Jesus Christ, and all because they have encountered the risen Lord Jesus in a dream or vision.

Though some details may differ, there is a common conversion testimony coming out of the Middle East. Jesus Christ is appearing to Muslims in dreams, proclaiming the good news of salvation, and calling them to leave their life of sin and come follow Him. Many of these dreams and visions are recurring, as God is showing His mercy and love for the Muslim people all over the world.

“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”

[2 Peter 3:8]

War may be imminent in the Middle East, as Iran continues to flex its military muscle and threatens to create chaos and add fuel to a smoldering geopolitical fire. But we must never forget that for all the evil that is spreading through the kingdom of darkness, God is pouring out His Spirit, spreading His message of salvation to the nations, and bringing about His own plan and purposes in the world. The LORD is committed to deliver sinners from “the domain of darkness and transfer us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” [Colossians 1:13-14]

As committed Christians, we should continue to pray for the gospel to reach the nations with transforming power. We should support ministries like Trans World Radio that is committed to broadcasting the gospel into restricted nations like Iran, and we should begin to ask God for a deeper burden for the lost, both across the street and around the world! We are called to our neighborhood and the nations.

Whether it be through radio broadcasts, one-on-one conversations, televised preaching, house-to-house discipleship, or through dreams and visions, the world desperately needs to hear the proclamation of the good news of Jesus Christ. There is power in the spoken word. Let us not remain silent another day!

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

[Romans 10:14-17]

Why Does Islam Get a Free Pass?

Marcus Walker Van EveryLeave a comment

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”

[Matthew 7:15-20]

Hate Speech. Terrorist Attacks. Honor Killings. Female Circumcision. Gang Rapes. Jew Hatred. Oppression. Fear. Perversion. Deception. Darkness. False Teachings.

This is the fruit of Islam — perhaps the most satanic and demonic ideology ever devised in human history.

Jesus Christ warned us that false prophets will come in sheep’s clothing but inwardly will be ravenous wolves. He also told us that ultimately we will be able to recognize the fruit of false prophets. If anyone has ever qualified as a false prophet according to Jesus Christ and His standard … it is Mohammed — the founding prophet of Islam.

The Quran and the other sacred writings of Islam provide the historical profile of Mohammed, and it’s not pretty. Mohammed first received his “revelation” by have a series of demonic episodes in a desert cave. He told his family that he was terrified for his life and that this demon was choking him into submission until he was willing to spread this new message. His family thought he was having epileptic fits or was possessed by a demon.

Once Mohammed began teaching his new religious beliefs and gained a significant following, he and his followers have left nothing but a path of terrorism, death and oppression. The earliest Muslims were terrorists and raiders who would rob desert caravans and launch ambush attacks on unsuspecting villages. Once Mohammed became strong enough militarily to exert his will, he taught his followers to conquer territory by the sword and by forcing infidels to submit to indentured servitude.

Mohammed had up to nine wives at one time [although he commanded his followers to have only 2 or 3], plus he would keep an ample supply of sex slaves handy to abuse at will. Mohammed was a pedophile by definition, marrying his most cherished child bride, Aisha, at the age of 6, while he was in his 50s.

That’s right. You heard me. Mohammed married a 6 year hold little girl.

Oh, but the Muslim apologists will say that he didn’t actually consummate the marriage until she was 9 years old. What virtue from your disgusting pedophile leader!

The list could go on and on about Mohammed’s exploits of perversion, terrorism, and deception. He often encouraged lying — aka Taqiyya — in order to gain advantages as a minority in a particular society. This of course is only until Muslims can become powerful enough to usurp control, put infidels to death and introduce Shariah law.

Sound familiar? How about Europe? As Muslims flooded Europe by the millions and began outpacing the growth of Europeans, they strategically have used political correctness and media propaganda to create social sympathy to their favor, and now Europe is in its own cultural crises because they are being forced to submit to Sharia law in their own countries.

Now the United States is following suit, as we are seeing the very same effects by giving Islam a free pass, treating Islamic ideology like any other, condemning the critics of Islam, submitting to the political correctness police, and even allowing radical Muslims to infiltrate our government.

And like Europe, we too are beginning to face a cultural crisis. When you add mass immigration on top of that, our nation will likely begin to crumble under the weight of liberal lunacy.

It’s enough to have to listen to the anti-Semitic rhetoric and pro-terrorist hate speech fuming from Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar, but just this week House Speaker Nancy Pelosi stood in approval as radical Imam Omar Suleiman was invited to give the opening prayer for the session of Congress. Suleiman has been known for his hatred of the Jewish people and his unapologetic promotion of jihad around the world.

Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar
radical Imam Omar Suleiman

To make matters worse, a video was released just last week, showing how young children were being taught to recite creeds and make pledges of death to Allah in Philadelphia mosque. Right here in the United States. Right here under our noses. They aren’t even trying to hide it anymore because they have won the PR war and conditioned the world to believe that criticism is fair game until it comes to Muslims.

You can watch this troubling video here

As Christians we are called to love Muslims and share the hope of the gospel with them, but we also have a responsibility to stand and speak out against cultural and political agendas that are a threat to our freedom, our future, and our very nation.

The fruit of Islam speaks for itself. It is rotten to the core. And if we don’t act now, we all will be forced to eat the poisonous fruit of this satanic system of hate and oppression right here in the land of the free and home of the brave.