Just yesterday we looked at Iran and their most recent terrorist plot.  We wondered out loud, “What was Iran thinking,” and looked at some of the ramifications of their actions – even looking into the longer term future at what could happen as a result.  Today, we are going to look at this again, yet from the angle of Iran’s worldview.  This is important for us to do because unless we grasp the worldview that Iran is working from, we will tend to misjudge not just their previous actions – but we will also be caught off guard again and again as to their future ones.  Unfortunately for us in the United States the current leadership, as well as the vast majority of thinkers from both sides of the aisle in Washington, are unwilling to wake up to just what this worldview is.  Their unwillingness to do this has led, and will continue to lead us in directions that will leave us totally unprepared for what is coming in the days and months ahead.

What was Iran thinking when they attempted to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States?  To those in Iran’s leadership, they were following a logical course of action spurred on by their worldview.  Some might want to restate this as their “religious” worldview but this does not recognize that they do not dichotomize their lives into the religious and the secular like we do in the West.  Their worldview is Muslim from every possible vantage point.  What is driving them is the logical conclusions of Islam and the teachings of the Koran as interpreted by their religious leaders.  This is what drives them religiously, politically, legally, and socially.  This is exactly what led them to every action they’ve taken from their political repression of opposition movements to their pursuit of nuclear weapons to their incendiary statements about wiping Israel off the map. 

Iran’s spiritual leadership as well as their current political leadership believe in the classic version of Islamic eschatology (end-times doctrine).  That doctrine centers around two basic things.  The first is the return of the 12th Imam who is called the “Mahdi.”  He is an apocalyptic figure who, according to their teachings, will come up out of a well in Iran – and will lead the Islamic world to reinstate the Caliphate.  The Caliphate is the term used for a one-world government/religious system based on Islam and worldwide Shar’ia law.  The Mahdi will be the supreme leader of this movement – Islam will be its religious basis – and Koranic Shar’ia law will be its political vehicle for ruling the world.  Our governmental leaders desperately need to grasp this worldview and how it motivates the actions and attitudes of the current Iranian leadership. 

The Mahdi will come in the midst of worldwide chaos and disruption.  Some might state that this is not a whole lot different than the view of the Bible.  The Bible does state that in the last days there will be wars and rumors of wars.  The major difference in worldview between these two though is that for the Biblical Christian – we are merely watching these things happen.  For the “Twelfth-er” Muslim, they sek to do all they can to encourage these disruptions and problems.  They want war, political problems, and worldwide chaos.  This is what will help bring the Mahdi back – it will aid in his return to set up the worldwide Islamic Caliphate.

Here is where we come to what the Iranians were thinking when they did what they did recently.  They were thinking that by causing disruption and even war – they will bring back the Mahdi.  This is why we need to wake up and realize what we are facing.  Too often our press and our political leaders tell us that Islam is a peaceful religion – that we can peacefully coexist with them in love and harmony.  But the fact is, that at least with Iran’s brand of Islam (and I would argue all sects eventually), they do not want peaceful coexistence and harmony.  They want Islamic domination and worldwide Shar’ia law.  They want the world to be ruled by the Mahdi – and for all nations to be under the Islamic Caliphate. 

What we are doing now in seeking a diplomatic solution is futile.  It is a repeat of the negotiations that England and France sought to have with Hitler.  There is no negotiating with those who seek worldwide domination and rule.  Chamberlain would have been better off to have met with Hitler’s Germany and let them know that if they continued to aggressively seek European domination – they would face stiff opposition and eventually war.  Hitler did not listen to appeasement.  He saw it as weakness – and sought to exploit it to his advantage.  The Iranians see our penchant for “sanctions” and our constant appeal to the U.N. for their wonderful intervention (please read this as sarcasm – actually more like rampant sarcasm) as weakness.  They exploit our useless efforts to rein them in – and see it as a gift of more time to plant additional operatives whose goal is the destruction of the “great Satan.”  One would think that the reality of that name alone would wake us up.  But our response is to retract in Freudian political horror – and blame ourselves for their actions, attitudes, and worldview.

What should we do?  How should we act in this situation?  Politically, we need to elect those to office who are not beholden to the view that Islam is a peaceful, cooperative worldview with our own.  Some would blame president Obama for the current state of affairs, but to do so would be to ignore at least 6 years of appeasement under the Bush administration.  We have a “State Department” problem.  Those who are responsible for our foreign policy think that we can win over the Islamic world by gradually abandoning our evil western ways – oh, and also by also gradually abandoning our support for our faithful ally Israel.  They are fools for thinking this.  This is not a PR problem – it is a worldview problem.  Therefore, IF we are to reverse the trends that currently make us weak and vulnerable to future attacks, we are going to have to accurately define and deal with Islamic designs for the world.  That will involve a much more aggressive stance toward Iran – and any other Islamic state that threatens our nation – and our way of life.  This is the political solution to our problem.  Now, having stated this, I have the unpleasant task of informing you that most likely this will not happen until the next couple of attacks have taken place.  The other unfortunate truth is that most likely the next major attack will make the Twin Towers attack look like child’s play.  In light of this I remind myself that the kingdom of God is not of this world.  Therefore as a patriot, I hate this development – but as a Christian, I realize that my faith is not based on what governmental system rules the country in which I live. 

There is a far greater responsibility that I have in light of all these things.  That responsibility is as a Christian.  My responsibility is to live for the glory of God by continuing to do the will of God.  That means that regardless of the threat to my country, I am to love my enemies and pray for them.  I am not to fear or hate Muslims, but love them and seek for every opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.  Therefore as the world continues to move toward the confrontation of the Islamic worldview and the view of the Western world – I am to preach Jesus no matter what the cost.  In the end, my concern is not ultimately what the Iranians are thinking as they act politically.  My concern is to affect their thinking and worldview by preaching that there is salvation in no other name except Jesus Christ.  My ultimate task does not change with the winds of political fortune.  The authority from which my task has been commanded will never be overthrown by the schemes and political actions of mankind.  God was seated upon His throne before mankind ever existed – and He will continue to be seated on his throne long after the last political schemes of mankind have ended.  Remember this and know that whatever Iran was thinking, it will not ultimately affect God’s will and purpose from being accomplished.  All things will be summed up in Jesus Christ.  Every knee WILL bow and every tongue WILL confess that JESUS IS LORD TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER!  May these two facts give you hope and confidence to live for Jesus in the midst of our chaotic world. 

The north-African region has been a hotbed of controversy for the past year.  We’ve watched as first Egypt, and now Libya have gone through popular uprisings of the people to overthrow their current dictators in favor of . . . well that is yet to be decided hasn’t it.  Our president boasts that these events of the “Arab Spring” as he calls it, will result in greater freedom and peace for the entire region.  Yet as time moves on – it seems that his predictions – as well as his actions are going to bring anything but peace in this region. 

Egypt was supposed to become a wonderful democracy after the political overthrow of Hosni Mubarak, their former dictator.  Please understand that I am not a Mubarak fan – he was a brutal dictator.  But as we’ve learned over the years often in matters of foreign affairs, the devil we know is often better than the devil we do not know.  Such seems to be the case with Egypt.  What seems to be rising out of the ashes of the Mubarak regime is a fragile alliance between the military and the Muslim Brotherhood.  This second group has proven to be a radical Islamic group who desire Islamic law to rule Egypt.  They also are a group who does not favor peace with Israel.  All this took a new turn as a series of events recently have caused Israeli Egyptian relations to reach their lowest point in almost 30 years. 

The Sinai Peninsula has been the site of a series of attacks by Gaza-based militants which resulted in the deaths of eight Israelis.  When Israel retaliated against these terrorists, three Egyptians with their defense forces were killed.  This resulted in demonstrations in the streets in Egypt – and even an unprecedented call for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador there.  One demonstrator climbed up and ripped down the Israeli flag from their embassy in Egypt.  Currently negotiators and envoys from several nations are seeking to defuse the situation.  There has also been a rare Israeli government apology for the deaths of the Egyptians. 

What this situation is revealing is that the former government of Hosni Mubarak, which desired more peaceful relations with Israel, is being replaced with a far more anti-Israeli government that reflects the position of the Muslim Brotherhood.  Times are changing in the Islamic world.  This is also true in Libya as well.  The Obama administration has entered into military actions with that state in the hope that their dictator, Khadaffi, may be overthrown.  But once again, what is in the wake of this overthrow is a government that will be far more agreeable to the demands of the Muslim street.  As with the situation in Egypt, the Muslim street’s views are better represented by the Muslim Brotherhood than by more moderate Muslims (if there are any when it comes to Israel). 

What does all this mean to us who believe that the Last Days of the Bible are going to come to pass just as God has promised?  It means that there are ominous developments that point to a group of nations eerily similar to that of Ezekiel 38:1-6 are arising in this region – all of which are becoming more and more anti-Israel in their political views.  Egypt is listed in this group, along with Libya as well.  Added to this group is the ancient location of Ethiopia.  The geography of this place better fits the nation of Northern Sudan which is another radical Islamic state.  When you add Turkey to this group – things start getting a little wild, since Turkey has elected a far more radical Islamic government, which has become far less friendly with Israel over the past 2-3 years.  The other nations mentioned in Ezekiel 38 include the “- stan” nations of the Russian Steppe region – Khazakstan, Tagikistan, etc.  These are joined with Iran, whose hatred for Israel is unmatched by any other nation on earth presently.  The final piece of this puzzle is Russia, which now has strengthened its ties with these nations who will one day come together to attack Israel from the north. 

Our president thinks that what has happened in Egypt and Libya is a good thing.  He hopes for new governments in these two states (and Syria is not too far behind them either) where their former dictator is replaced with pro-western democracies that will bring a new era of peace to the Middle East.  That is not happening currently, but instead these nations are being more and more radicalized.  This means that we are facing a serious crisis in the region.  One that will most likely lead to a war that will engulf the entire region.  This is not a “good thing” – but rather a “God thing.”  God is setting up this region along previously prophesied lines – for an event He has told us WILL come prior to the start of the 7 year Great Tribulation period.  As we watch these nations further radicalized in their views toward Israel, we can know that whether things are as imminent as we think or not – the alignment of nations is very similar to that of the Biblical narrative.  Is this just the luck of the draw – or the unseen hand of God getting things ready for the return of Christ?  It should be no shock to those of you who know me that I strongly believe it is the latter of these two things.  Stay ready saints – and keep yourself in the love of God and the preparation of your heart for His imminent return.  But then again – this should not be done because of the nightly news – but because of the command of Scripture.

I’m on vacation presently – but as I’ve taken the time to keep up with the news I’ve had a sense of destiny in the things that I am reading.  Let me explain by making reference to the book of Revelation and the things we see happen in that amazing prophecy of last things. 

In the book of Revelation we see some astounding things happening in the world prior to the return of Jesus Christ.  Among them is a world leader who arises promising peace, but delivers something far different.  We see war on a scale possibly unknown to mankind.  We see horrific events involving famine and plague that seem almost out of the realm of possibility.  We see a world system of finance that no longer involves a currency or currencies of the nations of the world.  All these things seem so far fetched that many have written off Revelation as either a book that is to be interpreted non-literally – or as the rantings of a crazed prophet or worse.

Yet, as I read the news I cannot help but watch the stage being set for the return of Jesus Christ.  We are watching our own nation on the edge of a financial Armageddon – not because of the debt ceiling debacle in Congress, but because we have $14.2 trillion in debt and actually think that more borrowing is not a bad thing for us.  Because of our position in the world as the largest consumer nation, if we fall the world is coming with us.  There is such an inter-connectedness in economies in our world today that a failure in the United States will bring down the world with it. But the debt crisis is not just in the United States alone.  European countries who have embraced the lies of socialism are coming to their own day of reckoning as their ability to handle a debt explosion are coming upon them.  Not only is the U.S. economy going to implode, but Europe’s as well – and they may get there first. 

Consider the implications of all this.  Two of the world’s largest economies are going to implode.  With that we will see a collapse of the U. S. farming community as well – because without financial backing, the system we’ve maintained for our farming will fall apart as well.  That will bring a lack of food the likes of which the world has not seen in modern times.  With it will also come the looming specter of famine as one of the largest producers of food in the world suddenly will be struggling with feeding themselves as economics prevents the growing of food. 

This coming economic Armageddon will also affect the nation that has done more to promote world health than any other on the planet.  That work will come to a grinding halt as the companies that have pioneered much of the innovation and advance of medicine also implode.  Medicines that have been readily available will soon find shortages popping up all over the world. 

With this kind of financial meltdown will also come the inevitable showdowns between nations who are now facing dire choices as the shortages grow.  Historically this has led to war between nations – because contrary to biblical truth – wars are primarily not engaged in because of political differences.  James tells us that the reason for wars is because we want and we cannot have – so we argue and fight on a local level – but on a geo-political scale such arguments become wars.

Now add to this the growing problem of an Islamic radicalism that is wanting world domination and you have a recipe for a worldwide conflagration that is coming soon to a planet near you.  Some will read this and commence hand-wringing as they try to figure out how to stop it.  But the fact is that you will not be able to stop these kind of events when Christ’s return is imminent.  When I look at the things that are happening now – I see two things.  First I see that when a world sows to the wind, they will reap the whirlwind.  Our world has been in rebellion against God since Adam’s fall in the garden.  This rebellion seems to be reaching a critical mass in our day.  The godlessness in our world only knows one other context historically and biblically – and that is the days prior to Noah and the first destruction of the earth by water.  Just as the pre-flood world had to face the consequences for their sin and rebellion, so does ours – and that host of consequences seems to be knocking at our door.  The second thing I see is possibly an engineering of all this as God is sovereignly working in our world.  Please understand I do not see God as the author of such sin and wickedness.  He is not responsible for the sin and rebellion – yet He is still sovereignly working through it toward the ultimate end of His eternal purposes.  That eternal purpose has as its goal the summing up of all things in Christ Jesus – the ultimate punishment of the wicked – the ultimate reward of the righteous – and then the penultimate reign of His Son for all eternity. 

So where does that leave us – you know, the ones who are still on this planet as these things hurtle toward their horrific conclusion?  It leaves us where we have always been – redeemed ones of Jesus Christ who have a task before us.  That task is to continue making disciples of all the nations – preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth – and preparing our own hearts for the return of our glorious Lord and Savior.  The days and years will continue to be piled upon the past – until He comes and our salvation is completed as we are glorified in heaven.  But no matter whether this end comes in days or years – or decades – or centuries – our task is the same as our brethren right after the ascension of Christ and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  Preach Jesus – live Jesus – lead others to Jesus – disciple them for Jesus – and love Jesus until the end . . . whether it is an end as we die on this earth – or one where we greet Him in the clouds in a glorious reunion as He comes again!

What kind of “peace” is Iran seeking in our world today – and for that matter – is the peace for which they strive one that is peace – or is it what the Bible refers to when those says, “Peace, peace, when there is no peace?” 

This is a question we should ask when we learn that Iran has been conducting secret tests of missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads throughout the countries of the Middle East.  William Hague, the British Foreign Secretary has announced that Iran has conducted secret tests of missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads in breach of U.N. resolutions.   He has said the following:  "Iran has also been carrying out covert ballistic missile tests and rocket launches, including testing missiles capable of delivering a nuclear payload in contravention of UN resolution 1929."

This really should not shock us – unless we are among those who falsely believe that Islam is a religion of peace.  We should be wise to the way that the term, “Religion of peace” is used by Islam – and just what it truly represents – which is peace, when there is no peace.  Iran is interested in spreading the “peace of Islam” all over the world – yet too many in the west take that phrase with far too literal a meaning – which we should understand that the “peace of Islam” is only for those who submit to the law of Islam.  Those who reject and oppose Sha’ria  Law are not promised peace . . . they are promised a holy war instead.  This is how we can hear one word out of President Ahmadinejad’s mouth concerning peace – while out of the other side of his mouth he spews hatred toward Israel and the United States.  This is how he can say one thing to the American and English-speaking press – while saying quite another to his own people.

The peace of Islam is based on the coming arrival of their “messiah” the Mahdi.  He will come in the last days according to their views, and set up what they call a worldwide Caliphate.  The worldwide Caliphate will be a rule and reign of the Mahdi that will establish Islam as the one worldwide religion by force.  There is no tolerance of other religious views in this Caliphate – Allah is God and Islam is the only allowed religion.  Those who dare believe otherwise will face dire consequences. 

Some may cry, “Foul!” at such a description of things – yet what do we see in countries where Sha’ria law is the law of the land?  Is there open tolerance of Christianity?  Are they kind to other religious views and persuasions?  They are outlawed.  Yet in spite of what we actually SEE and KNOW to be happening we too often parrot the statement that Islam is a religion of peace.  What we are learning all too slowly is that if there is a peace in Islam – it is the peace of Islam – which is anything but peace to anyone who holds a differing view of things than they do.  This is how they can speak of peace out of one side of their mouths – and be making every kind of incendiary kind of statement preparing for war out of the other side.  Oh, that we might have discernment to see the difference – and act accordingly.