ISIS- Is this the Prelude to the End?
“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea…” Revelation 13:1
By Mike Wingfield
When the governments of this world use the authority of God, and combine it with the power of Satan, the result is always deadly. No one has any right to rule over man outside the authority of God. (Romans 13:1) God alone has authority over His creation. From the beginning of time until the time of the flood, God gave man authority over all of His creation, with the exception of mankind. (Genesis 1:26-28) However, due to a time of deadly violence that erupted in the generations before the flood (Genesis 6:11-13), God instituted human government immediately after the flood. (Genesis 9:5-6) God has ordained that governmental leadership act on His behalf to protect and defend human life, and to promote peace. (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Timothy 2:2) God has ordained that those who operate under the authority of human government promote what He calls “good,” and “execute wrath” upon those who practice what He calls “evil.” (Romans 13:4)
However, when those who are acting on behalf of an organized human government promote violence and murder of innocent human beings, they are acting like their spiritual father, Satan, whom Jesus said was “a murderer from the beginning.” (John 8:44) When these governments espouse a culture of random violence and destruction of all those who oppose their wicked and godless ways, they are acting like beasts that have no conscience.
Long ago, the Holy Spirit directed Daniel to write about the evil kingdoms of this world and depicted them as beasts that devour mankind for their own political ambitions. (Daniel 7:1-26) Because of the revelation of these beastly governments, Daniel was disturbed. (Daniel 7:15, 28)
About 700 years later, the Lord revealed to the Apostle John that the final kingdom of this world, the kingdom of the Antichrist, will appear on the scene as a beast that “shall ascend out of the bottomless pit.” (Revelation 17:8) The beastly government of the Antichrist will receive its power and authority directly from Satan. (Revelation 13:1-2) Instead of the people fearing this beastly government, John wrote that “all the world wondered after the beast. And they worshipped the dragon [Satan] which gave power unto the beast.” (Revelation 13:3-4)
In light of all of this, it has been most alarming for me to observe the sudden appearance of the radical Islamic State, also called ISIS (“The Islamic State of Iraq and al-sham”) or ISIL (“the Islamic State of the Levant”). ISIS is more than a terrorist entity. ISIS is a highly organized government that controls large swaths of land in Syria and Iraq, with Raqqa, Syria as its capital. Their leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, has declared himself to be the caliph (Islamic dictator), establishing a caliphate (a system of Islamic government based upon the Koran) over all the global Sunni Muslims, which accounts for about 80 percent of all Muslims. ISIS is the richest terrorist group in the world, with a reported income of more than $1 million per day. Their jihadi militia has stunned the entire world with its brutal blitzkrieg and savagery across the Middle East. They have shown no mercy to anyone who has opposed their apocalyptic view of Islam, which is a blueprint copy of the religion founded by Mohammed.
ISIS has captured the attention of the entire world. It is using the global media to spread images of its brutality and savagery. Hangings, shootings, decapitations, crucifixions, burnings, and other bizarre forms of torture and death are their trademark.
After many years of focusing on the prophetic Word of God, one of the things I have attempted to do is get a Biblical grasp of the nature of the kingdom of the Antichrist. With this in mind, it has occurred to me that when we observe the nature, activities and methods of ISIS, they appear to be a small-scale duplication of the atrocities that will be carried out by the Antichrist during the 7-year Tribulation Period. Without repeating the Biblical evidence, I remind you that in previous newsletters I have repeatedly written about my conviction that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. In all probability, he will be the same as the long-awaited Mahdi that the Muslim world expects to appear at any moment. Muslims also believe that their messiah will be accompanied by Isa (Jesus), or al- Masih (the messiah). They teach that Isa will help their messiah promote Islam, break crosses, and kill Jews and Christians. It is obvious that their Isa will be the false prophet mentioned in Revelation 13:11-15. With all of this in mind, let me share with you 14 amazing parallels between ISIS and the coming kingdom of the Antichrist.
- Their Sudden Appearance
According to the Bible, Satan’s antichrist will suddenly appear on the scene after the church has been raptured to heaven. As the Apostle Paul responded to the church of the Thessalonians in the first century, he had to deal with a false rumor “that the day of Christ is at hand.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2) These believers were disturbed because they thought they were in the Tribulation Period. Paul’s answer to them in the following verses offers Biblical evidence that this was impossible. “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day [the beginning of the Tribulation Period] shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” (2 Thessalonians 2:3) Paul was simply telling the church that the Tribulation Period cannot begin until the Antichrist is revealed. As a matter of fact, it will be the action of the Antichrist with his confirmation of a peace treaty with Israel that will begin the Tribulation Period. (Daniel 9:27) Apparently, for all believers who are focused upon the Word of God, it will be this action that will reveal to them that he is the Antichrist. Before this time, no one will be able to identify the Antichrist. In other words, the Antichrist will suddenly arrive on the stage of human history, riding on a white horse. (Revelation 6:2)
Many years ago, it occurred to me that this is an exact counterfeit duplication of the beginning of our Lord’s earthly ministry as recorded in the gospels. Jesus was born and raised in obscurity. He performed no miracles and did not preach until after He suddenly appeared at the age of 30 to be baptized by John the Baptist. When John saw Jesus coming, he announced to the crowds that had come to hear him preach: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29) When Jesus was baptized, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, “descending from heaven like a dove.” (John 1:32) John reported that the Holy Spirit used the appearance of the dove to give him evidence that Jesus was the Son of God. (John 1:33-34)
The sudden appearance of ISIS on the stage of human history is remarkably similar. Late last summer, ABC news reported: “Born from an especially brutal al Qaeda faction, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has grown from relative obscurity in recent years to overshadow its extremist patrons. It now terrorizes large swaths of Syria and Iraq, and has become the target of the largest U.S. military operation in Iraq in years …” (ABC News, August 21, 2014)
- Their Home Base in Iraq
The prophetic Scriptures indicate the Islamic kingdom of the Antichrist will be centered in Iraq. The modern nation of Iraq was known in the Bible as “Babylon.” With this in mind, notice Isaiah 14. In this text, the Antichrist, with all of his violence and destruction, (verses 15-20) is shown as being in league with Lucifer. (verses 12-14) We learn from the book of Revelation that at the mid-point of the Tribulation Period, the Antichrist will be killed and descend into hell. (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14; 17:8) It seems to me, that Isaiah 14 gives us amazing insight into the reception of the Antichrist when he joins many in hell that he had murdered during the first half of the Tribulation Period. After his brief time in hell, the Antichrist will be resurrected back to life and be indwelt by Satan, after he is finally banished from heaven. (Revelation12:9-12) Notice that in this text, the Antichrist is called “the king of Babylon,” (verse 4) and “the Assyrian” [northern Iraq]. (see verse 25) Both of these titles reflect that the Antichrist will rule the world from Iraq.
In addition to Isaiah 14, Revelation 17-18 attaches the Antichrist and his kingdom, depicted as the beast with seven heads and 10 horns, with the religious harlot known as “Mystery Babylon the Great.” (Revelation 17:5) The great city mentioned in this text is identified as “that great city Babylon” (18:10, 21) It is shocking to realize that Islam teaches that their Mahdi will rule the world from Babylon, Iraq for 7 years.
In light of all of this, it is amazing to note that ISIS, based upon their Islamic teaching, has purposefully declared that Iraq is their home base for their jihad warfare against the world. At this time, they control most of the northwestern area of Iraq, which is the area dominated by the Sunni Muslims.
- Their Territorial and Global Goals
When the Antichrist arrives on the scene at the beginning of the Tribulation Period, he will have a crown [political authority] given unto him, and he will go forth “conquering, and to conquer.” (Revelation 6:2) We have to examine Daniel 7 to understand what this means. In Daniel 7, the prophet reveals his divine dream of the final kingdom of the world that will precede the Kingdom of God. This final kingdom is described symbolically as a beast with ten horns. (see verse 8) In verse 23, the Spirit of God gives us the interpretation of this symbolism. The 10 horns represent 10 kings (or political power structures) that will be in control of “the whole earth.” (verse 23) This is confirmed by John’s revelation in Revelation 17:12-13. After these 10 horns appear, they are followed by a “little horn,” which is the Antichrist. (Daniel 7:8, 24) Then, the little horn will take control of three of these 10 horns by force. (Daniel 7:8, 24) It is apparent that the Antichrist wages war against the remaining 7 horns until he subdues them by the mid-point of the Tribulation Period. It will be at this point in time that power will be given him “over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Revelation 13:7)
Thus, the Scriptures indicate that the Antichrist will ride onto the stage of human history and begin to make war with a one-world government joined together in 10 political divisions. At the beginning, he will take control of three of these divisions. Using this as a regional political power base, he will make war with the rest of the world until he has conquered all nations.
As you examine the revealed strategies of ISIS, this is exactly what they have determined to accomplish. They have published their map showing their regional goal as including all of the “Levant.” This area covers western Asia, the Middle Eastern area unto the Mediterranean Sea, and northern Africa. In other words, this area covers the present Muslim nations in the region, plus Israel. The ultimate prizes in their regional ambitions are Israel and Saudi Arabia. From this power base, ISIS hopes to conqueror the entire world and establish a global Caliphate (a global Islamic Empire). This is an exact duplicate of the strategies of the Antichrist as mentioned above.
- Their Method of Destruction
The wars of the Antichrist will bring great global destruction. The forces of the Antichrist will “devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces.” (Daniel 7:23) The Bible describes what the Antichrist will do to the cities of the nations while he is carrying out jihad to take control of the nations. He “made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms; That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof.” (Isaiah 14:17) His might will appear to be supernatural, making destruction his trademark. (Daniel 8:24)
Once again, this is exactly what ISIS is presently doing throughout the Middle East. ISIS uses savage force and brutality to conquer territories. ISIS has shocked the entire Islamic world by declaring “that they will destroy the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, which is Islam’s most holy site.” (http://www.huffingtonpost.com) The ultimate goal of ISIS is to destroy western civilization as we know it. They want to literally take us back to a primitive way of life that existed in the 7th century when Islam was born.
- Their Leaders Declare a Global Dictatorship
As mentioned above, the ultimate goal of the Antichrist is to take control of the nations for Allah, declaring a global Caliphate. The goal of Islam is to develop a massive army and declare jihad on all infidels (non-Muslims). The goal is to expand the rule of Islam until it covers the entire earth. Then, their Caliph (dictator who will rule by Shariah law) will be the ruler of the world.
When the Antichrist and the False Prophet have finally gained complete control of all nations, they will rule over the world for 42 months (the last half of the Tribulation Period). (Revelation 13:15) At that point in time, the Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel. (Daniel 9:27). He will demand that all of the world worship him, and set up a program whereby he can control the economic affairs of every person on earth. (Revelation13:12-18) Those who refuse to submit to him will be killed. (Revelation 13:5)
In a similar fashion, the leader of ISIS, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, declared himself the Caliph of the Islamic world on June 24, 2014. All those who live in the areas controlled by ISIS that do not submit, are brutally murdered. ISIS is taking control of the economic systems of Iraq and Syria. They are seizing banks, oil fields, and airports. Baghdadi has made it clear that their ambitions include all nations.
- Their Dedication to a God of War
More than 2,500 years ago, the ancient prophet of Daniel wrote that the Antichrist “in his estate shall … honor the God of forces …. Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many …” (Daniel 11:38-39) The military successes of the Antichrist will be so powerful, that the world will be asking, “Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:4) Like his god, he will be a murderer (John 8:44) and destroyer. (Revelation 9:11)
The Islamic State, ISIS, has become the most brutal military force in modern history, in some ways surpassing the savagery of the Nazis. The army of ISIS is not invincible, but it always seems to survive to fight another day. ISIS is increasing its ranks with more radical jihadists from other terrorist groups, plus fresh recruits from around the world, including the United States.
- Their Global Jihadi Army
Ultimately, those who support the Antichrist and his Islamic kingdom will come from all the nations of the world. When the final battle comes against Israel at Armageddon, “all nations” will join his military effort. (Joel 3:2, Zechariah 14:2)
Some sources indicate that the ISIS army now numbers over 30,000, coming from about 90 different countries. What makes this force so powerful is their willingness to die for their cause. While these numbers are relatively small, it is worth noting that it is a global army that is growing larger each day with recruits from around the world.
- Their Killing of all Non-Muslims
According to Revelation 6:1-8, the Islamic jihad forces of the Antichrist will be responsible for the death of one-fourth of the world’s population during the opening months of the Tribulation Period. As a result of their jihadist efforts, they will “take peace from the earth,” (Revelation 6:4), and bring about a global economic collapse (Revelation 6:5-6). They will kill by decapitation with the sword. (Revelation 6:8; 20:4) Their global jihad campaign will bring famine and diseases that will kill millions. (Revelation 6:8)
In just a short period of time, ISIS has slaughtered about 20,000 people. Their gruesome slaughter of men, women, and children seems to bring them some level of pleasure. It is reported that some recruits are joining ISIS because they want to experience beheading someone. Both the armies of the Antichrist and ISIS bear the marks of demonically controlled men, who act like beasts who kill for pleasure without any guilt or remorse.
- They have no Respect for Women
The Antichrist will not have any respect for, nor show any honor to women. (Daniel 11:37) This is another one of the facts that leads us to believe that the Antichrist will be a Muslim. A study of the teachings of Mohammed demonstrates that women were considered of less importance than men. Women are considered inferior to men, and have fewer rights. A Muslim can have many wives, and if one of his wives disappoints him, he can beat her.
When the forces of the Antichrist attack Jerusalem in the final hours of the Armageddon campaign, “the women [will be] ravished.” (Zechariah 14:2)
According to many sources, ISIS fighters treat the women they capture with no respect. They gang rape, torture, abuse, enslave, kill, and in some cases, bury women alive. Young girls are married to abusive ISIS warriors who sexually abuse them and pass them on to others for further abuse until they die. Many smaller children are sold as sex slaves. Reading some of these accounts would enrage anyone who has a conscience.
- The Use of the Media to Spread Terror
When the forces of the Antichrist have finally overcome God’s two witnesses in Revelation 11, they will use the media to show the world the dead bodies of these two men lying in the streets of Jerusalem for three and one-half days. (Revelation 11:7-9) Taking advantage of the moment, the Antichrist will display the bodies of these two who opposed him. He will demonstrate to the world what happens to those who reject his declared divinity and authority. Therefore, he uses the media to showcase to the world his power over the two men who defied anyone from harming them for 1,260 days. (Revelation 11:5)
ISIS is the first modern-day Islamic terrorist group to extensively display their horrific atrocities to the world via the global media. Those who have followed these developments have reported that ISIS’ use of the media is very professional. ISIS considers the media to be a very important means of spreading their terror around the world. It seems to be working. Iraqi armed forces that greatly outnumber ISIS forces and have greater firepower, are filled with terror when ISIS warriors are only a few miles from them. The Iraqis take off their uniforms, lay down their weapons, leave their tanks and other armored vehicles, and run away.
- They Rejoice over the Violent Death of Opponents
When the world of the Antichrist sees the rotting corpses of the two witnessing in the streets of Jerusalem during the Tribulation Period, they will rejoice. “And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another.” (Revelation11:10) When the word reaches the Islamic world about the deaths of those who have been killed by Islamic terrorists, the Islamic world rejoices. In many cases, they dance in the streets while some shower the crowds with candy. Here is one report given after two Muslims carried out the Boston Marathon bombing of 2013. “The dust hadn’t even settled on the ground at the site of the devastating explosions at the Boston Marathon finish line before Islamists started celebrating that so many people in America had been killed and injured. There were reports from Gaza that people explicitly allied with Hamas, Hezbollah, and Islamic Jihad joined with ordinary citizens to dance in the streets, cheer, and pass out candy.” (www.mrconservative.com/2013/04/12) {story moved taking you to home page}
Many photos that show the grim murdering of Iraqis by ISIS, display the sheer joy these beastly warriors express upon the bloody death of their victims. It is very clear that these warriors have a seared conscience and feel no remorse. (1 Timothy 4:2) It is their desire to fill the earth with their violence – just as it was in the days of Noah. (Genesis 6:11-13)
- They Kill in the Name of their God
According to Revelation 13:12-18, the followers of the Antichrist will worship their god and his earthly messiah, the Antichrist. This worship will include an image and the number of the name of the Antichrist and his god. This number, which represents his name, is worn by all of the followers of this religion. It is worn on the forehead or on the hand. Walid Shoebat, a born-again believer who was a former Muslim terrorist, states: “It is the pride of Muslims to mark their right arms and foreheads with the mark of Islam.” ISIS warriors, like all Muslims who wage jihad in the name of Allah, wear a headband and or armband.
PICTURE Photo copied with permission from www.israeltoday.co.il
The Antichrist and ISIS kill in the name of their god. Jesus gave the following warning to His disciples: “the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.” (John 16:2)
- They Execute Opponents by Decapitation
The trademark means of execution by the Antichrist during the Tribulation Period will be beheadings. (Revelation 20:4) Without question, this is a means of execution that has been used by Islamic jihadists since the days of Mohammed. In an article by Jihad Watch, a jihadi cleric Hussein bin Mahmoud, a prominent writer on jihadi forums, is repeatedly quoted concerning the connection between beheading and Islam. Mahmoud quotes Qur’an 47:4, which states: “When you meet the unbelievers, strike the necks…” He comments: Chopping off the heads of infidels is an act whose permissibility the [Muslim] ummah agrees on. Beheading a harbi infidel is a blessed act for which a Muslim is rewarded. … Islam is a religion of power, fighting, jihad, beheading and bloodshed, not a religion of turning the left cheek to whoever slapped you on the right cheek. On the contrary, it is a religion of breaking the hand that is stretched out to humiliate the Muslim. [Any Muslim] who fights for his property, blood or honor is a martyr.” (www.jihadwatch.org/2014/08/muslim-cleric-justifies-islamic-state-beheadings-islam-is-a-religion-of-beheading)
ISIS is currently mimicking the methods of execution, including beheading, that were practiced by Mohammed and all of those who immediately followed him.
- They force their Religion upon all Mankind
According to Revelation 13:12-18, the Antichrist will force all the inhabitants of earth to worship him and his god of war. Those who do not submit will be killed.
Many stories have surfaced in the last few years about ISIS commanding their captives to convert or be killed. Because of this fear, it is reported that more than 2 million Iraqis have fled their homes and are refugees in northern Iraq and Jordan.
Please understand that I am not saying that ISIS is the beginning of the kingdom of the Antichrist. However, the appearance of such a government that is so much like the government of the Antichrist, certainly illustrates that we are living in the final days of the Church Age. Keep listening for the shout that will take us out!