Did you know that a driving belief by the Shiite Muslims is the coming of an Islamic messiah, called al Mahdi? They believe the Mahdi's reappearance will be preceded by a 7-year confrontation with evil, ending with an era of universal peace (Sound familiar?). Iranian President Ahmadinejad believes that Iran has been chosen to “pave the path for the glorious reappearance.” In other words, Iran has no reluctance to starting a nuclear holocaust in the region.
Not surprisingly, then, after claiming for years that their nuclear program was only to produce energy, they recently announced their intention to test a nuclear warhead. And since then, they are threatening to close the Straits of Hormuz, warning the US to keep its carriers out of the Persian Gulf. The US responded by ordering additional carriers to the Gulf and adding 15,000 troops in Kuwait. It’s widely feared that a military showdown between the US and Iran is imminent.
Mahmud Ahmadinejad is the most religiously zealous leader on the world scene today: “We don’t shy away from declaring that Islam is ready to rule the world.” Zeal plus power is a terrible force. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work, but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way … so when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near (2 Thess. 2:7; Luke 21:28).
I don't have much to add. Just, I see it too, and it's not going to be fun.
ReplyDeleteYou know, David, it is both a 'sad' time we live in but a most exciting time--something ages of Christians looked for. That doesn't mean it will happen this year, or even in 100 years. God has His ways of speeding things up and slowing them down... until He, according this His clock, it is the 'fulness of time.'
ReplyDeleteWe must continue to stimulate one another ... as we see the Day drawing near.