Islam Threatens
Have you been watching the news? This world is out of control. What is this world coming to?
During the first two weeks of November, 2005, terrible riots engulfed the country of France. According to Fox News, over 300 cities were on fire with countless thousands of cars burned and other property destroyed. The riots were orchestrated by young Muslim street thugs displeased with social conditions.
Ironically, France has been one of the world's strongest supporters of the Muslim agenda. You remember the headaches they gave the U.S. government when we approached the U.N. Security Council about the war in Iraq. They have opposed America and our war against terrorism from day one. You would think that if anyone was safe from the violent nature of Islamic terrorists it would be the French.
Yet, as France entered its third week of Muslim uprisings, rescue workers in Ammon, Jordan, sifted through rubble following three bombs which killed over 50 people and wounded 100. In Iraq, terrorists from foreign countries continued pouring over the border to kill their Muslim brothers. Within 12 hours of the blasts that killed dozens in Ammon, Jordan, another blast rocked Baghdad, Iraq, killing 35.
What do these countries have in common? Ironically, all three of them are huge supporters of the Muslim way of life. Like biting the hand that feeds them, Islamic radicals continue to fulfill the words of the Ishmael Prophecy. They have become a great nation and they do live in hostility toward all those around them, even their own “brothers”.
Did you know that according to Lamb & Lion Ministries, Islam is now the second largest religious group in France and has more followers than all Protestant denominations put together? Muslims aim to make France an Islamic Republic by the year 2015. Yet, even in a nation so dominated by this Islamic influence, there is no protection from the Ishmael Prophecy. Because Mohammed, the founder of Islam, claimed to be a descendant of Ishmael, he and his followers must also take responsibility for the God-given predictions about Ishmael and his descendants.
Notice this prophecy from Genesis 16:10-12 and 17:20-21.
“Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, ‘I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.’ The angel of the LORD also said to her: ‘You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.’"
“...as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation. But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you by this time next year." (NIV)
Being a distant relative of Abraham was Mohammed’s greatest claim to fame. He claimed this relationship through the lineage of Abraham’s oldest son, Ishmael. Although I have never seen any evidence to suggest that Mohammed could actually prove this connection, because Mohammed laid claim to this lineage, he must also lay claim to the God-given predictions made about it.
1. They will become a people “not to be counted for multitude”.
2. They will “live in hostility” toward those around them.
3. They will not be blessed as descendants of the child of promise.
In early November, 2005, the headlines read, “Paris Burning: France Invokes State of Emergency”. Ironically, the very people that France welcomed with open arms and defended in the world arena became the same ones tearing the country apart from the inside. The young Muslim street gangs marked out their territory. Soon, I predict that French Muslims will demand that the French government honor their Muslim enclaves as a nation within the nation. Another Palestinian-like state is on the horizon.
For a moment, let’s explore the first of the God-given predictions about Ishmael and his descendants.
1. Ishmael Will Become a Great Nation
“Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, ‘I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.'” (Genesis 16:10, NKJV)
It should be sobering to see that God’s promise about Ishmael was not just given once. In Genesis 17, He mentions it again.
“And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.” (Genesis 17:20, NKJV)
Today, as in many times of the past, God’s prophecy has come true. Ishmael’s descendants have grown into a great and influential people. According to World Almanac, the Muslim population now numbers 1 billion people which is one-sixth of the world’s total population. Arabs comprise 21 different governmental states and control over five million square miles of oil-rich land.
Consider the following report provided by Lamb & Lion Ministries, a group that monitors conditions in the Middle East.
Only 7% of the people attend church in England today. In contrast, there are now more Muslims in England than there are Methodists and Baptists combined! In 1945 there was only one mosque in England. Today there are over one thousand. In France, Muslims are the nation’s second-largest religious group and have more followers than all Protestant denominations put together. Muslims aim to make France an Islamic Republic by the year 2015, and Britain by the year 2025. Their strategy is simple. They move in and patiently work toward domination of a country through conversions, immigration and high Muslim birth rates.
Today in America, there are approximately six million Muslims. Islam has now become the fastest growing religion in America. Muslims will soon outnumber Jews in the United States, if this is not already the case.
Of the 1,100 mosques in America, 80% have been built within the last twelve years. Much of the money for these new mosques has been supplied by Islamic foreign embassies. Saudi Arabia alone has spent $87 billion since 1973 to spread Islam throughout the United States and the Western hemisphere. Other countries, including Iraq, Libya, Kuwait and Iran have poured millions of dollars into the West for the same purpose.
Yes, God has fulfilled His promise many times over. Ishmael and his descendants have become a great nation.
2. Ishmael and His Descendants Would Live In Hostility Toward Those Around Them
The second part of this prophecy can also be clearly seen in the world events of today. Notice the prophecy.
“’He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.’” (Genesis 16:12, NIV)
History is littered with evidence of the fulfillment of this prophecy. Just nine chapters after the prophecy was given to Hagar, we find the following historical record of Ishmael and his descendants.
“His descendants settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt, as you go toward Asshur. And they lived in hostility toward all their brothers.” (Genesis 25:18, NIV)
Twice in modern history, the forces of Islam have tried to conquer the Western world by military force. In 710 A.D., Islamic militants crossed over the Straits of Gibraltar and conquered much of Spain and Portugal. They then proceeded to take one-third of France before they were defeated in the Battle of Tours, only 125 miles outside Paris.
A little over 900 years later, the Turks began expanding their Ottoman Empire and conquered all of the Baltic nations before their troops reached the gates of Vienna in 1683.
In more recent history, the infamous Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran once said, “The Jihad means the conquest of non-Muslim territory. The domination of Quranic Law from one end of the earth to the other is... the final goal... of this war of conquest.”
In August of 1994, at a rally in London, a Muslim spokesman of the Islamic Liberation Party said, “There are 123 verses in the Koran about killing and fighting. Ours is not a passive religion.”
Before concluding this section about Ishmaelite violence, we must address the flood of American media propaganda suggesting that Islam is predominantly a peace-loving religion that has been slandered because of a few.
Ironically, the tragedy that claimed over 3,000 American lives on September 11, 2001, may very well turn out to be one of the biggest public relations victories in Muslim history. According to a Newsweek article published less than one year after this vicious attack, 59% of Americans held a favorable view of Islam. That number rose 45% over numbers prior to the attack.
Shortly after the 9-11 tragedy, our President and many other famous people began speaking out on behalf of the Muslim community. Public service announcements promoting unity through diversity flooded the air waves.
Just 11 months after being attacked by Muslim extremists, some California schools were introducing Islam simulation classes for 7th graders. In these classes, young people were encouraged to assume a Muslim name, wear Muslim clothing, memorize parts of the Quran, fast during Ramadan and even play a game called Jihad.
As the 2002 Fall semester approached, the University of North Carolina found itself under fire from conservatives for assigning incoming freshman to read the Quran as part of their entrance requirements. After being exposed by Fox News, the university changed its stance and made Quran reading an option instead of a requirement.
On the eve of the one-year anniversary of this national tragedy, the President of the United States stood outside the Afghanistan Embassy and praised the Muslim community for being a culture that brings nations together.
The point is often made by Muslim defenders that true followers of Mohammed are peace-loving and tolerant of other cultures. It is the radical few who give the religion of Islam a bad reputation. As this line of thinking grows in popularity, we must ask at least three important questions:
1. If the Islamic religion is so peace-loving and tolerant, then why does their holy book, the Quran, encourage followers to be so violent? Mohammed preached “Death to the infidels!” (Sura 2:191). He trained his disciples to use force in order to make converts and he delivered a “convert or die” message to the world (Sura 5:33, 9:5, 29). As was documented earlier, Muslim’s have tried to conquer the world at least two different times in modern history and stories of their gruesome conquests are enough to make any sane person nauseous. Islam has a long history of violence and America would do well to rethink the validation we are giving to this religion.
2. If the Islamic religion is so peace-loving and tolerant, then why is the more radical branch of Islam, the Shiites, the fastest growing group among them? Although Shiites, those who emphasize the need for a holy war, number only about 10% of the overall Muslim population, World magazine points out that 10% of 1.2 billion people is still 120 million radical people. As the fastest growing branch of this faith, the Shiites also wield a rapidly growing influence within the Muslim world as a whole. Islam has a long history of conquering a nation from within. America would do well to reconsider the validation we are giving to this religion.
3. If the Islamic religion is so peace-loving and tolerant, then why are Christians persecuted in Muslim countries while Islam is allowed to be practiced openly in our Christian nation? In Bangladesh, where 87% of the population is Muslim, Christians are often beaten for their faith. Milon, a Bangladesh Christian, was threatened with having his feet cut off after he was found distributing Gospel tracts. Another Christian named Mira had his land confiscated by a Muslim leader, and his family is often pelted with mud as they walk the streets of their village. The Muslim faith has a long history of demanding respect for their religion while persecuting Christians for holding a different view. America would do well to reconsider the validation we are giving to this religion.
The average American is more familiar today with the Muslim culture than they ever dreamed of being prior to the attack of September 11. Sadly, that horrible day of destruction and carnage may very well be looked back upon as the most productive public relations event in Muslim history. Yes, God’s prophecy of a great and violent nation coming from Ishmael continues to come true even within our very own time. Wake up America!
As we conclude this examination of the Ishmael Prophecy, we want to look briefly at the reason Muslims disdain Jews and Christians. To begin, I want to counter any argument that would suggest that good Muslims do not disdain us. Their very own holy book encourages such feelings. Notice the following quote.
Quran 9:30
“The Jews say, ‘Ezra is the son of God;’ the Christians say, ‘Christ is the son of God.’ … May they be damned by God: How perverse they are.”
One might argue that Christians have the same disdain for Islamic anti-Christ doctrines as Muslims have for our belief in God’s Son. They are correct except for one very large exception - our holy book commands us to love them, their holy book commands, “Death to the infidel!” (Quran 9:5)
Jesus once told His followers, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45a) Because of statements such as that, Christian nations like America operate in a much different way than many Muslim countries.
Did you know that just days after the radical Muslim attack on September 11, 2001, this Christian nation dropped plane loads of food and humanitarian supplies on the very country that was sheltering the terrorists? Radical Muslims celebrated in the streets when they saw our great destruction, but Christians were called upon to pray for their enemies. Christians seek to change the world with a message of love, peace and turning the other cheek, while Islamic extremists seek to conquer the world through hatred, threats and suicidal violence.
Yes, it is true. Christians and Muslims do share a common disdain for one another’s religious views, but we do not share a common response to that disdain.
Why Do Islamic Extremists Respond So Violently?
This question leads us into the third and most damaging part of the Ishmael Prophecy.
3. Ishmael Would Not Be The Child Of Promise
During the summer of 1983, my family and I toured Jerusalem and entered into the world famous Islamic mosque on the temple mount. The Dome of the Rock, as its name suggests, was built around a huge rock that has great significance both to the Muslims and the Jews.
To the Muslims, this place is holy because it was from this rock that Mohammed claimed to have ascended into Heaven to meet with Abraham, Moses and Allah. To the Jews, this location is holy because the ancient temple once stood here and it may very well be the spot on which Abraham attempted to sacrifice his son, Isaac.
As I stood in the midst of this large and lavish “holy place”, with a golden dome and fine carpets on the floor, I wondered who should be admired most. Should Ishmael be admired for giving us Mohammed or should Isaac be admired for giving us Jesus? The answer seemed obvious to me, but given my Muslim surroundings, it was all too clear that this conclusion was not shared by many in the world.
In Genesis 17:19-21, we find the third application that must be drawn from God’s prophecy - Ishmael was not the child of promise.
“Then God said: ‘No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.’” (Genesis 17:19-21, NKJV)
Much earlier, God had promised that Abraham descendants would not only grow into a great nation but also that through his seed every nation of the earth would be blessed. This blessing comes not through Ishmael and Mohammed, but through Isaac and Jesus Christ.
There is perhaps no greater application to be made in this study than identifying the child of God’s promise. By doing this we can also identify the type of blessing we may expect from Almighty God because of him. If Isaac is the child of promise, then Jesus and His message of salvation is your hope. If Ishmael is the child of promise, then Mohammed and his message of forced surrender is your nightmare. Consider a parallel between the teachings of both:
Mohammed used compulsion.
(Quran 9:29)
Jesus used voluntary conversion.
(Matthew 28:19)
Mohammed’s disciples killed for the faith.
(Quran 2:191)
Jesus’ disciples died for the faith.
(Matthew 5:10-12)
Mohammed was a prophet of war.
(Quran 4:94)
Jesus is a Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
Mohammed taught, “Convert or die!”
(Sura 9:5)
Jesus taught “Believe and live!”
(John 6:47)
Mohammed said, “Death to the infidels!”
(Quran 5:33)
Jesus said “Father forgive them.”
(Luke 23:34)
Mohammed called Jews “monkeys and apes”.
(Quran 2:65, 5:60)
Jesus said, “Salvation is of the Jews”.
(John 4:22)
Mohammed rejected Jesus as the Son of God.
(Quran 112:1)
Jesus said, “He who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”
(Luke 10: 16)
Mohammed’s tomb is occupied.
Jesus’ tomb is vacant!
Perhaps the greatest difference between Islamic teaching and that of Christianity is their view of Jesus. Muslims believe in Jesus, but they do not believe that He was the Son of God. (Quran 19:35) In fact, the Quran says that those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God should be damned. (Quran 9:30) According to the Quran, Jesus was born of a virgin and performed miracles, but instead of dying on the cross, He ascended into Heaven and one day will return to destroy all crosses and convert the world to Islam.
As you might imagine, it is very hard to convince a Muslim that Jesus was the Son of God and that He died on a cross to save them from their sin. The reason for this probably comes from their view of God and their obsession with Mohammed. The Quran speaks of a harsh God Who offers very little security in ones relationship with Him. (Quran 2:40) With this view, it is no doubt very difficult to imagine a God Who could love them so much that He would actually die in their place. If Jesus is the Son of God Who died on a cross as a young man to save His followers, while Mohammed was a prophet who died as an old man living in the lap of luxury, then Mohammed pales in comparison to Jesus. To believe that Jesus is the Son of God completely destroys the Islamic faith.
Simply put, it is jealousy and denial that drives the Islamic violence toward Jews and Christians.
Conclusion:
We must not ever underestimate the importance of identifying the child of promise. Because of Isaac, we have Jesus. Those who deny Him as the Son of God blaspheme His name and invite the wrath of His Father. (I John 2:22-23) The Son must be honored.
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