This blog is authored by “Jack Smith,” an “in-the-trenches” pastor of a main-line denominational church, and a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.  Jack is the author of “Islam the Cloak of Antichrist,” an interpretation of end-times Bible prophecy using the “Islamic paradigm.” The Islamic paradigm interprets Islam to be the instrument through which the Antichrist will gain dominion over the world in the last days (Revelation 13:7-8). The Islamic paradigm is a fresh look at Bible prophecy. It is a replacement of the “revived Roman view” held by many in the church for years. So why is it time for a fresh look at Bible prophecy? Because the “signs of the times” require it.

Matthew 16:2-3 (NASB) But He replied to them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ “And in the morning, ‘There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times?

The “signs of the times” are shouting these days; and Islam is what they are shouting. Interpreters of Bible prophecies using the “revived Roman Empire” view are being forced to reconsider their interpretations of Scripture; and, the longer one holds to an interpretation, the more difficult it is to let it go. Here is a quote from Jack’s book:

… Each of us comes to prophecy with our own set of presuppositions. … Unfortunately, our own interpretations act as roadblocks to our receiving a new interpretation of prophecy. Continuing with the metaphor of a giant jigsaw puzzle, if a new piece is inserted into an “old puzzle,” it simply will not fit. The only way we can realistically assess if a new piece fits is to lay aside our old puzzle and give the whole of the new puzzle the possibility of being correct. We must come to the new interpretation with a mind free from presuppositions, almost like choosing to come to the text with a “blank sheet of paper” … That takes quite an effort.

Think of Bible prophecy as a giant jigsaw puzzle; except, there is no picture on the box. Each piece of the puzzle can only be confirmed to be the “right piece” if it fits with the pieces around it, which then must fit with the pieces around them, and so on. Applying this to prophecy, one’s interpretation is gained not just by the specific view of one passage, but by how this passage fits with the whole of one’s interpretation of prophecy. In other words, all the pieces must fit.

Jack Smith explains his journey as follows:

Beginning with the events of 9/11, I sought to understand Islam—its history and basic teachings, so as to articulate to my congregation why a group of Muslims would kill thousands, all in the name of Allah, and all the while praising him for their deed. In the process of learning about Islam, I was also teaching the book of Daniel to my congregation; as I determined to complete both tasks, I began to see Islam as the fulfillment of the very Bible prophecies I was interpreting to my congregation. To sum it up, with each fulfillment of prophecy a “piece” to the puzzle was laid, and as each new piece was laid, those already laid became ever more secure– until, in the end, the entire puzzle was fulfilled by either the beliefs, practices or history of Islam.

Oops! Almost forgot — “Jack Smith” is the pen name used in the posts and writings of this blog. We alert you to this fact because we don’t want any real pastor named “Jack Smith,” to end up as a martyr “under the Altar” (see Revelation 6:9-11) due to the writings on this blog (or its companion site, www.whenthepiecesfit.org).  Of course, that would mean that the so-called “religion of peace” is not really a religion of peace after all (surprise, surprise!).

Revelation 1:3 (NASB) 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Jesus come quickly.

Blessings.




Jack