By Jack Smith

I direct you to a very interesting article that came through one of the blogs that I subscribe to (http://midnightwatcher.wordpress.com/2011/11/06/iran-ayatollah-khamenei-calls-for-worlds-muslim-nations-to-form-an-international-islamic-power-bloc/). The article reports on a sermon given by Iran’s supreme spiritual leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, to 2.5 million people on pilgrimage in Mecca (see also, http://www.kashmirtimes.com/news.aspx?ndid=20635).  During the Hajj, November, 2011, the Ayatollah called for the formation of an “international Islamic power-bloc” of all Muslims uniting against the non-Muslim world (specifically, “the West, the United States, and Zionism, which are weaker than ever before”). According to the Ayatollah, such a power-bloc “can change the destiny of the Islamic Ummah (nation),” and herald “a bright future accompanied with dignity and progress.”

It really doesn’t matter whether we label the Ayatollah’s call a “Revived Caliphate” or an “international Islamic power-bloc,” the point is that a Shia leader is calling for the uniting of all Muslims against the Infidels. This particular Shia leader is also the Ayatollah of Iran, the supreme spiritual leader, who “trumps” all other leaders in Iran, including Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Iran’s president.  Iran is the one country in the world where we continually read of its nuclear aspirations as well as its intentions to destroy Israel. To Sunnis, the majority sect of Islam, to unite under the banner of Islam at the call of a Shia leader is highly improbable.  Shias are considered “unbelievers” by most Sunni Muslims.  The Iranian Ayatollah’s call to the Arab world (and all Muslims) is uniquely timed to take advantage of the confusion, chaos, and vacuum of leadership commonly referred to as the “Arab Spring.”  The Ayatollah describes this time as critical, and one in which Muslims must “make the most of this opportunity. . . .”  He states that Islamic countries that are now able to hold free elections (previously led by dictators) will inevitably follow the lead of Tunisia, and elect Islamist leaders, and new constitutions based on Sharia law.

The tenuous political climate now present in the Middle East beckons Muslims to follow the call of the strongest voice. This is the underlying reason for the Ayatollah’s call for the Islamic power-bloc at this specific time in human history while 2.5 million Muslims listened while on religious pilgrimage.  The West is perceived to be at its weakest point, and so the prospects of success seem greater than any time in the last four centuries.

When one looks to Scripture for any parallels or possible fulfillments in Bible prophecy, we are drawn to Ezekiel 38-39 wherein a cast of nations launches an assault upon Israel. What is interesting in this assault is who is not named in the list of Israel’s adversaries.  Six Muslim countries all of which share borders with Israel are absent from the attacking force described in Ezekiel 38:5-6. Persia, modern day Iran, is specifically included in the list (Ezekiel 38:5).

I propose that what we could be seeing in the Ayatollah’s call for an Islamic power-bloc is precisely what is envisioned in Ezekiel 38-39.  The reason why the six nations bordering Israel are not listed in the assault is that they are all either under the dominion of Iran or they have formed an alliance with Iran (the “international Islamic power-bloc).  A favorable response by Sunnis to the Ayatollah may seem unlikely, but how else do you explain the absence of Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia (all Sunnis nations) from Ezekiel 38:5’s list of countries attacking Israel?  All of these countries are currently, and have always been, at enmity with Israel.  In addition, Persia satisfies the “different” characteristic of Daniel 7:23 (that is, it is “not Arab”); and, their prophesied “Mahdi” fulfills multiple Biblical prophecies of the Antichrist.

Another passage of relevance  is Revelation 17:12-13 (NASB) below:

The ten horns which you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority as kings with the beast for one hour. These have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast.

Using the Islamic Paradigm to interpret this passage, one day a Muslim leader will unite and lead ten other Muslim nations or groups under the banner of the “beast,” i.e., Islam (see also Daniel 7:24).  This uniting will serve the combined purpose of destroying the “harlot” and waging war against the Lamb (Revelation 17:14).  The Ayatollah is possibly the first manifestation of the Antichrist, the human incarnation of Satan, who gathers the ten nations.  The Ayatollah’s call for an “Islamic power-bloc” is possibly the beginning of the coalition of nations described in Ezekiel 38-39, Revelation 17:12, and Daniel 7:24.  This coalition is prophesied to launch an attack upon Israel.  Is it any surprise that the headlines of today are filled with questions of who will be the first to initiate the nuclear option?

For supporting Biblical interpretations, please see, Islam the Cloak of Antichrist, at www.whenthepiecesfit.org .

Blessings.

Jack Smith

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