A NEW DARK AGE? Part 1

The Dark Ages swept upon numerous civil societies which had been previously enlightened, creative, productive, and individually free in regard to expression. I do not desire to over-simplify the causal effects of the Dark Ages, but religious dogmatism, deception, and fear based apparatuses were a prime initiator. Many of the underlying characteristics of that time in history are present today in the form of Islam and Islamist ideologies.

It is interesting to witness the number of western media and political entities which are supporting a Palestinian state at Israel’s expense and demise. Free media and genuine political democracy are by-products of advancements in social behavior and have taken thousands of years to develop. However, it seems that these social advancements are the very mechanisms that are promoting Islam which is diametrically opposed to its core values and institutions. Why would free democracies and the UN desire another Islamic state on the world stage since it opposes individual liberties? You never hear of a political governing body promoting or attempting to build a nation founded on Islamic principles, but yet the world seems content on committing social suicide.

Much of the naive and media conditioned world body have bitten hook, line, and sinker that Islamic based terror attacks around the world are directly linked to the Israeli-Arab conflict. Middle East scholars and terrorism “experts” are stating that the West’s support for Israel is the main motivation behind the attacks of Al-Qaeda and other fundamentally Islamic religious groups. This rhetoric has manifested as a smoke screen to hide and blind the true ideology and beliefs of Islam at its core. If not, then why hasn’t a moderate, liberal, or dissenting voice been raised within Muslim communities to address the horrendous violence and behavior of terrorism, human shields, and child indoctrination? Or, the equal rights of women?

Again, political experts and academic elites have foolishly bought into the argument that the terror attacks against the US and Western targets are the result of the Israeli-Arab conflict. Thus, much of the focus has centered around Israel as the easiest way to address a perceived instability manufactured by religious (Islamist) ideologues. The west has been blinded by tunnel vision in regard to Israel while great travesties and deep darkness is spreading like wildfire in the peripheries. (e.g. Indonesia, North Africa, Europe, and even regions in America)

Al-Qaeda and bin Laden (before his death) justified religious and organizational attacks on Americans by citing continued US support for Israel as the main reason. However, it was revealed that Al-Qaeda had also planned and has carried out terror attacks in Europe. What excuse would radical Islam have for the attacks on innocent European civilians? I will state that it is not only radical Islam, but mainline Islam as well since their voice has been silent in objecting to the human slaughter. If Americans deserve to be murdered because of the US support of Israel, why are countries such as France, Britain and Germany which have, generally speaking, been very supportive of the Palestinians now on the black list of radical Islamic groups? Has Europe grown cowardly in fear? Or, has its tunnel vision become more pronounced in falling into the Israeli scapegoat and deception while its social fabrics are methodically being weakened?

The UN support and recognition of a Palestinian state and political voice is only the first step of a far greater deception and end result. Prophetic understanding must be clearly defined by the church for the world has been blinded to the much bigger picture. I recently published a two part article tilted “The Faces of Democracy.” In that article, I stated the importance of understanding democracy and the value of political institutions to humanity. It’s imperative that Christians become an active part of political and institutional solutions at the social level. It’s important that Christians become engaged in the core institutions which sustain democracy and have a moral voice as well as a vote. The US Constitution was created by Christians and centered on Christian virtues and can only be sustained by those who hold to its values. The eroding of these values is simply a manifestation of constitutional and governmental stewardship by unbelievers or non-Christians who do not adhere to the same values. In the US, a populace is growing out of ignorance and spiritual stupidity to boldly promote social or political agendas but aren’t willing to reflect it in their own lives or conscious. Americans will always be in conflict with its soul if it continues on the path of justice over past sins in lieu of what is spiritually moral and godly. The acceptance of abortion is a prime example of the new American thought process. Any political candidate at any level should not be elected to office if they cannot clearly define that life begins where there is blood and a heartbeat. If they are uncertain or undecided about this, they will likewise be undecided in many other aspects of decision making. Many who call themselves “Christians” will blatantly ignore what is godly in lieu of justice and even cultural similitude (race).

The truth going forward is that Europeans will be targeted for the same reason that Americans are targeted, regardless of their appeasing UN vote or support for a Palestinian state. The west will continually be open targets for being “infidels” and the enemies of Islam because of the Christian or democratic based values they represent. We must understand that Islamist regimes will embrace, support, and utilize democracy such as the “Arab Spring”. But this is a smokescreen and is a spring board or path to power. (We have already experienced this in many Middle Eastern countries.) The end-game is not democracy, but rather a theocracy reflecting Sharia Law. All non-Islamic countries are targeted because of their failure to transform into Islamic countries and beliefs. Those who think that solving the Israeli-Arab conflict and “cutting off a head” will undermine and appease radical Islam and its allies are greatly deceived. Iran and most fundamentalist organizations are even waging a war against other Arabs and Muslims who are involved, directly and indirectly, in the Middle East peace process. This is a powerful antichrist agenda and presence that is growing in power and influence due to the church’s weakened posture (religious dingbats, con-men, entertainers, and money-changers in the media), political will, and failure to intercede.

Al-Qaeda was established in 1989 in Afghanistan, and not in the West Bank and Gaza Strip or any other Arab country. Al-Qaeda was one of the by-products of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. It had nothing to do with the creation of the Jewish state in Palestine in 1948. Al-Qaeda was established with one goal in mind: to defeat all non-believers, including the US and its Western allies via any means including calculated population growth strategies to outnumber the indigenous. This sounds crazy, but it is openly proclaimed and documented. The goal of fundamental Islam is to kill Europeans not because of settlement construction in the West Bank, or blockades at the Gaza Strip; they want to kill Europeans because Europeans are not Muslims and have different values. The Europeans need to understand that their support for Arabs in general and the Palestinians in particular will not help them avoid “punishment” by radical Muslims. Again, I use term “radical” loosely. I personally have many Arab and Muslim friends who are very dear to me. But until a genuine voice arises to condemn many of its Dark Age ideologies, I must assume that silence is approval.

The policies of appeasing Muslim terror groups through land, finance, and even opportunity will not reflect a solution. Nothing but a dismantling of its core dogmas, dark age ideologies, and how it interacts with the rest of the world body will reflect a lasting solution. On the same hand, each concession by the US and its allies to Al-Qaeda, Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas, and Hezbollah will be interpreted as a sign of weakness that will subsequently lead to more wanton violence to achieve its primary and ideological goals.

The only connection between the Muslim terrorists and the Middle East conflict is their dream of destroying Israel as one part of the puzzle. Destroying Israel is simply frosting on the cake and removes the last bastion of genuine democracy and individual freedom in that region. The multitude of Islamist based organizations around the world want to destroy Israel not because they love the Palestinians, but because they regard Jews as “infidels.” They want to destroy Israel because they believe that all of Palestine is Muslim owned land that belongs only to Muslims. Historical evidence of Israel’s right to the land and Jerusalem holds as much water to an Islamist as American Indians reclaiming the North American frontier. The value of historical evidence is a foregone conclusion and of no benefit to religious ideologues who create their own justifications and vain imaginations. We must come to grips that western/democratic political systems are incompatible with Middle Eastern politics which has strongly woven religious (Islamic) elements into their social institutions. The social results of not incorporating the clear separation of church and state has been clearly defined in history. We need not go as far back as the Dark Ages. In America, we saw the results in witch burnings and religious based justification for slavery. The results of religion mixed with social politics has always led to abuse of individual freedom and expression. If humanity desires to step back into the Dark Ages as a place of livelihood, then continue supporting fundamental Islam as a governing body and the continued eroding of Israel as a nation.

Renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority have only increased the terror groups’ appetite to carry out their schemes and grow more organizations around the world under the guise of charities. The only way to deal with the terror threats is maintaining a strong and supported military (self defense) while stepping up strong and vocal resistance against Islamic ideologies that infringe upon societal and individual liberty. The crux of this message is two fold. First, Islam mixed with social politics is a recipe for societal regression and its expansion should be resisted at all cost. Secondly, for Americans to push “God” back into the public arena is likewise very dangerous in this hour as the church’s window of opportunity has closed. We can dictate and even vote to have “God” back into schools, government, and the public arena. However, which and who’s “god” are we now speaking about in our culturally diverse society? It seems that Christians can’t even agree on this. Once a “god” is promoted in a contemporary society – we must understand that we have now accepted and entered into a theocratic system created by the institutions of man. It’s easy to plant a theocracy, but once it takes root it is extremely difficult to remove it. On the other hand, it’s very easy to change the “god” or the interpretation of that “god’s mind” once it has taken root and in the hands of man. Be careful what you wish for! You may voice and push for “god” in the public school system for a particular year and come to realize a few years down the road that the public sector’s view of “god” has changed and not who or what you envisioned. At this point, it’s too late; the theocratic ideology has already been established. This is the goal and manifestation of Islam as well as the spirit of antichrist. I realize that this is a hard pill for some Christians and conservatives to swallow. But as I stated earlier, windows of opportunity have been lost and the dangers of man promoting agendas through a “god” is far too great a risk in this season of history. God works through our lives expressed in truth and love and weaves within the fabric of everyday life. It doesn’t need to be institutionalized to impact humanity. Actually, the institutionalization of religion has historically produced the greatest tragedies.

“Terrorize and behead those who believe in scriptures other than the Qur’an.” “Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war.” “The Believers fight in Allah’s cause; they slay and are slain, kill and are killed.” (ref Qur’an 8:12, Qur’an 9:5, Qur’an 9:112)

The question is not whether terrorism is now a world-wide reality, but why is terrorism happening at all? And, is it possible to thwart the activities of the Islamic extremists? To understand how to deal with an enemy, one must first seek to understand the issues which warrant certain behaviors. What is their motivation? Do they have a goal or end result? Who are these people? Why are they willing to go to such desperate lengths? Why are their own lives apparently so easily expendable? Why do they target innocent civilians who have no direct conflict with them, and have no understanding of their agenda? Why attack office buildings, ships, buses and airplanes carrying innocent and unarmed civilians? Why is deception necessary to disguise themselves as normal citizens and college students? Why hide in the everyday crowd, then attempt to perpetrate as much carnage and damage as possible? How do you fight an enemy you cannot identify until it is too late?

The world must wake from its slumber and come to grips with why are all these attacks and atrocities committed by followers of Islam? This is not a coincidence, as many in the media, academic, and liberal circles would have us believe. I am writing this article to ask questions and bring attention to the Islamic religious orientation, goals, and spiritual significance.

In our multicultural democratic society we embrace diversity. Diversity is a large culture shift that is also prevalent in most large American businesses. On the surface this is a seemingly embraceable societal virtue on many levels. However, the Islamic terrorists are taking advantage of our propensity to be accepting, and are wielding US ideological “freedom for all” against us. Islamists are cloaked within their own religious people, most of whom, on the surface at least, appear to be peaceful. They also know it is unacceptable for the rest of the western democratic population to single out one religion for vilification. While we are busy bending over backward to make certain religious freedoms available to all, those of a religious orientation that desires to destroy all other religions, operate from within that freedom and safety to wage war against western and democratic based institutions which they view as heretical. And of course, “heretics” are put to death under Sharia Law.

We also must take note that it doesn’t matter whether others of their own Islamic faith are marginalized, attacked, and even murdered, so long as the goal of Islamic conversion is ultimately reached. Muslim against Muslim is perfectly acceptable, and apparently even necessary to many fundamentalist organizations. Look no farther than the US grand investment in Iraq where militants are attacking other Muslims, simply because they align themselves with those who promote peace and democracy. This is not merely a conflict between one group of Muslims and another, or even simply between Muslim and those of other faiths, although that is used as an excuse. Rather it is a martyrdom ideology, where life is expendable, and the loss of ones life is desirable in pursuit of the end result.

We view this as extreme, but in Islamic belief systems, it is the ultimate jihad to be shaheed (martyred) or to cause other Muslims to be shaheed in the name of Allah. The terrorists are not only fighting against the West and democracy. They are not simply fighting against Jews and Christians. Rather, these are necessary conflicts in their view, to further their Islamic world-wide cause. Islamists are for and speak of “peace“, but only on their terms, which means when Islam rules the world there will be peace. Until that day, jihad and shaheed must continue and be executed in the name of Allah.

Terrorists are not necessarily insane. In their minds, through social conditioning, they are the military “troops” for Islam and part of it success. Adherents that refuse the “terrorist” or “jihadist” label are on a different level in the jihad or struggle, but nonetheless are just as dangerous, because they soften up the unsuspecting masses by being peaceful law-abiding citizens who simply wish to live and let live. These people may reflect a peaceful citizenry, but yet they also are misunderstood in relation to the greater Islamic picture. They have no desire to blow themselves or others to pieces. However, this perceived peace is still a form of jihad, because it allows Islamic ideology to infiltrate local and national level societies. Once Islam becomes an accepted part of a particular society, more extreme jihad forces are able to begin operating under the cover of its accepted populace. This stratagem is exponentially growing in Europe, Africa, and America. This is a “holy war” and Islamists are wielding a sword of “peace” as the weapon of choice and its wounds will become more deep and severe as humanity embraces it blade.

The lip service of “peace” and a “peaceful religion” is being used to kill innocent civilians everyday. We are witnessing the manifestation before our eyes as “peaceful Islam” is waging jihad against all that is democratic, of other religious persuasions, and social groups that do not adhere to Islam’s tenants. There will soon arise a world ruler who will also use and promote peace to destroy and subjugate many nations. This ruler will come forth and possess religious, political, and social deceptions built upon preying on the increased fears and insecurity of a world population. He will rise to power because of an ideology, a religious/political system which is aligned against the Jews, Christians, and all who are considered infidels (non-adherents). The Prince of Peace is ethnically a Jew, and Muslims know He is to come. Therefore, they have motivation to annihilate the Jews to prevent his arrival. They are on a jihad to prevent Messiah from ruling the world. They desire instead to ensure that Islam rules the world.

It is my opinion that all knowledgeable Muslims believe in the multilevel and various forms of jihad. They are well aware that the ultimate goal of Islam, in obedience to Allah, is world conversion to achieve the Quranic view of peace. On the other hand, most Muslims are not willing to be part of the militant terrorism nor to be a shaheed. I also believe that the majority of Muslims are embarrassed by suicide bombers, and terrorist atrocities and would rather bring in world wide Islamic rule through peaceful means, such as through infiltration and winning converts. However, we must understand that the line between being a peaceful Muslim citizen, and becoming a terrorist or a shaheed in the cause, is merely ideological. Some are willing to pick up the gauntlet because of their personalities, and their religious fervor. The problem is that it is impossible to accurately pick out from among them who desires to become a terrorist or who is a potential shaheed because of the lack of dissent. So, how do we educate, resist, and even fight an ideology of hate, destruction and death? The truth is that it is impossible when such an enemy hides among the population and attacks the innocent and unsuspecting. We can set up security cameras, send out security forces, check bags, ask questions, use electronics, but this enemy wears the best and most effective camouflage — he or she looks normal.

Our only real defense is two-fold. First, we need a revival in all aspects of prophetic expression. The church and the world body needs accurate Prophetic Discernment in regard to geographical (socio-political) and spiritual shifting. We need Prophetic Journalism that is precise, relevant, and digestible to the saved and unsaved. Much of today‘s prophetic offerings are laced with Christianese jargon and vague abstracts that provide little to no addressing of urgent needs at hand. We also need a restoration of Prophetic Evangelism that educates and loves rather than condemns. Secondly, we need to pay close attention to Islamic rhetoric. We mustn’t dismiss the sermons by Imam’s around the world and right in our backyards as being the hyper inflated rants of misguided religious crackpots. These are influencing people who are motivating and inoculating the suicide bombers, and recruiting mostly idealistic youth to carry out their atrocities, offering promises of the virgins in a utopian Islamic Paradise. They will vehemently deny they are being inflammatory and that they are only delivering sermons in line with their religious views. This is true and exactly why their words are so dangerous.

Who is the Man of Sin or Perdition? SIN was the name of an ancient Middle Eastern pagan moon god. In ancient Syria and Canaan, the Moon-god “Sin” was represented by the moon in its crescent phase. At times the full moon was placed inside the crescent moon to emphasize all the phases of the moon. The sun-goddess was the wife of Sin and the stars were their daughters. Muhammad chose from a pantheon of the ancient Middle Eastern gods, gave it a face lift, and presto — gave the world the apparently monotheistic religion called Islam. The Arabic name for this moon god was, and still is, Allah! The soon to be revealed ruler will be the Man of Sin as proclaimed by Apostle Paul. Will the spirit behind antichrist be Islamic or a Muslim? This seems plausible since this deceiving and despotic dictator will rule from Jerusalem where a mosque is the capstone today. He will arise under the apparent quest for peace, but in the process, according to the prophet Daniel, will destroy many. Islam is on the move toward world conversion whether you believe or agree with it or not. Islamic terrorists and ideologues are well on the way to taking over all of the Middle East, especially in Gaza, which, if all goes according to their plan, is to become a haven for several powerful Islamist organizations. If the UN mandate just passed as recognition of a Palestinian state grows and if the final outcome warrants an Israeli withdrawal, it will not be long before the next phase is implemented and they go after Jerusalem and Judea, resulting in two more world wars: Gog and Magog and Armageddon. They will have a short, but devastating time in power, then the true Prince of Peace will appear in power and glory. Amen.