ISLAM'S CHRIST
I found this tonight, and while I have heard of the Islamic antichrist written about by Joel Richardson, and even John MacArthur, this article is - though short - is really an eye opener, particularly where it makes reference to final battle being the two descendents of Abraham. Makes sense to me, but you'll have to decide for yourself.
ISLAM’S CHRIST
Islam teaches that towards the end of this present age Jesus will return to this earth. But their beliefs about his return are very different to those held by Christians.
Muslims believe that Jesus was born supernaturally of the Virgin Mary, but he was only a man. He was a great prophet, but little of his teaching is found in the Bible as the early church tampered with the records. He was not crucified. Someone else was mistaken for Him and crucified in His place. At the end of his ministry, He was taken up to be with God in heaven and it is from there that He will come again.
The main beliefs about his coming are:
It is my belief that Islam’s christ will come. For a brief period he will be permitted world dominion. He will be the Antichrist of which scripture warns. It is in this context that Britain will submit to Islam.
Set out below are six reasons for identifying the Antichrist with Islam.
1. Doctrine
“This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2: 22
“Say (O Muhammad): “He is Allah, The one and only; Allah to whom all creatures turn for their needs; he begets not, nor was he begotten; there is none like him.”” Qur’an 112: 1-4.
From its inception Islam denied that God had a son. No other world movement, philosophy or religion has so emphatically denied the fatherhood of God. There have been many movements which have denied the existence of God or tried to supplant Him. There has been much false teaching and misrepresentation of God. But only Islam has built its whole creed on the denial of the Father and the Son.
2. Character of Islam
“its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and baked clay.” Daniel 2:33
This is part of the prophecy of the statue to be found in Daniel 2. The prophecy sees four empires which will arise in the future. The first kingdom is Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. The final manifestation of these empires is described as feet and toes made of iron and clay which will be shattered at our Lord’s return. A fitting description of Islam, which in some ways is strong but is also deeply divided into factions.
“You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.
Islam twists the truth about Jesus Christ. The Jesus of Islam has no resemblance to the Jesus of the Christian Gospels. Islam says that Jesus was a great prophet but denies that he was divine and that he was crucified for our sins. Jesus said of the Jews that their father was the devil because they refused to accept that he came from God. The same can be said of Islam.
It is striking in reading Islamic literature the extent to which Jesus, the Bible and Christians are misrepresented. This theme cannot be developed here but for a sample of what Islam says about Christianity read: “Christianity and Islam – according to the Bible and Qur’an” by Naser Al Moghamis published by Darussalam. The book may be available from a local Mosque or Islamic bookshop.
3. Location of the Antichrist’s Kingdom
In his book “The development of Antichrist” published in 1852, Andrew Bonar demonstrates that scripture identifies the Eastern part of the Roman Empire not the West as the place where the Antichrist takes power. He was writing to challenge the then popular view that the Pope was the Antichrist. The book does not support this but argues for literal interpretations of Scripture when seeking to understand how prophecy will be fulfilled.
When the Antichrist arises it will be to reign over the area formerly ruled by the Greek, Persian and Babylonian empires, the area we know today as the heartland of Islam.
For a more in depth study of the character of the Antichrist and the location of his kingdom please refer to “The Development of Antichrist” by Andrew Bonar. This can purchased from: Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony, 1 Donald Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9JB or downloaded from; www.newblehome.co.uk/bonar.
4. The time of the Antichrist’s kingdom
In Revelation, 17 where these ten kings who arise are described again we read
“And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority with the beast for one hour.”
It is difficult to reconcile this prophecy of the kings, only holding power for one hour, with the nations of Western Europe. The kingdoms of Europe have exercised considerable authority over this world for many centuries. In the Middle East in the territory covered by the former Eastern Roman Empire, there are ten nations, which have only recently gained independence. The time of their formation corresponds to the same period in which the new nation of Israel was established. They are all Muslim and have yet to achieve authority over other nations.
5. The beliefs of Islam
As we have seen above Islam believes in the return of christ. But their christ does not compare with the one whom Christians long for. Primarily, when he comes he will deny that he is the Son of God, and will persecute those who believe in a divine Jesus.
In considering how to recognise Christ, there is a saying in the Hadith attributed to Muhammad which describes him as follows:
“There is no prophet between me and him, that is Jesus (peace be upon him). He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish hair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling from his head though it will not be wet.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud, vol 3, p 1203)
This is far from the Christian belief that Jesus will return with the glory of Heaven, surrounded by the armies of heaven and all the believers who have placed their trust in Him. None, whether Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist or no faith at all, will have any doubt on that day who it is who has come from heaven.
6. The Completeness of Scripture
“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. Now you, brothers, like Isaac are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born in the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.” Galatians 4:22 and 28, 29.
The final fulfilment of prophecy will complete the story begun with Abraham. He had two sons - Ishmael born through natural means and Isaac born as a result of Abraham’s faith in God’s promise. Christians by faith in God’s promises are descendants of Abraham. Islam also looks to Abraham, but claim a line of descent through Ishmael. The final conflict of this age will be between the children of faith (Isaac) and the children of works (Ishmael). At the very end of the age it will be as it started 4000 years before.
The Great Deception
The coming of Islam’s christ will be Satan’s final and greatest deception. Muslims will accept him as the christ. Jews will believe that their Messiah has come. Jesus warned them; “if another shall come in his own name you will receive him” (John 5:43). The sleeping church, knowing little of prophecy, will also be deceived and accept him as who he says he is. He will come at first preaching a gospel of peace, and will bring peace to many of the troubled parts of this world.
There is no present leader who fits the one who is expected. His coming will be apparently supernatural, as if from heaven (although scripture tells us he rises from the pit). Satan will use all his power to counterfeit the return of Christ in order to deceive as many as possible. So as to deceive, if possible even the elect (Matt 24:24), is no casual warning, but one we need to take seriously.
ISLAM’S CHRIST
Islam teaches that towards the end of this present age Jesus will return to this earth. But their beliefs about his return are very different to those held by Christians.
Muslims believe that Jesus was born supernaturally of the Virgin Mary, but he was only a man. He was a great prophet, but little of his teaching is found in the Bible as the early church tampered with the records. He was not crucified. Someone else was mistaken for Him and crucified in His place. At the end of his ministry, He was taken up to be with God in heaven and it is from there that He will come again.
The main beliefs about his coming are:
- He will descend from heaven, although it is not known where. Mecca, Damascus and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem are all considered possible sites.
- He will declare that he is a man and not God and will oppose and seek to eradicate all false teaching that he is divine.
- He will overthrow the Dajjal (the antichrist).
It is my belief that Islam’s christ will come. For a brief period he will be permitted world dominion. He will be the Antichrist of which scripture warns. It is in this context that Britain will submit to Islam.
Set out below are six reasons for identifying the Antichrist with Islam.
1. Doctrine
“This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2: 22
“Say (O Muhammad): “He is Allah, The one and only; Allah to whom all creatures turn for their needs; he begets not, nor was he begotten; there is none like him.”” Qur’an 112: 1-4.
From its inception Islam denied that God had a son. No other world movement, philosophy or religion has so emphatically denied the fatherhood of God. There have been many movements which have denied the existence of God or tried to supplant Him. There has been much false teaching and misrepresentation of God. But only Islam has built its whole creed on the denial of the Father and the Son.
2. Character of Islam
“its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and baked clay.” Daniel 2:33
This is part of the prophecy of the statue to be found in Daniel 2. The prophecy sees four empires which will arise in the future. The first kingdom is Nebuchadnezzar’s Babylon. The final manifestation of these empires is described as feet and toes made of iron and clay which will be shattered at our Lord’s return. A fitting description of Islam, which in some ways is strong but is also deeply divided into factions.
“You belong to your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44.
Islam twists the truth about Jesus Christ. The Jesus of Islam has no resemblance to the Jesus of the Christian Gospels. Islam says that Jesus was a great prophet but denies that he was divine and that he was crucified for our sins. Jesus said of the Jews that their father was the devil because they refused to accept that he came from God. The same can be said of Islam.
It is striking in reading Islamic literature the extent to which Jesus, the Bible and Christians are misrepresented. This theme cannot be developed here but for a sample of what Islam says about Christianity read: “Christianity and Islam – according to the Bible and Qur’an” by Naser Al Moghamis published by Darussalam. The book may be available from a local Mosque or Islamic bookshop.
3. Location of the Antichrist’s Kingdom
In his book “The development of Antichrist” published in 1852, Andrew Bonar demonstrates that scripture identifies the Eastern part of the Roman Empire not the West as the place where the Antichrist takes power. He was writing to challenge the then popular view that the Pope was the Antichrist. The book does not support this but argues for literal interpretations of Scripture when seeking to understand how prophecy will be fulfilled.
When the Antichrist arises it will be to reign over the area formerly ruled by the Greek, Persian and Babylonian empires, the area we know today as the heartland of Islam.
For a more in depth study of the character of the Antichrist and the location of his kingdom please refer to “The Development of Antichrist” by Andrew Bonar. This can purchased from: Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony, 1 Donald Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 9JB or downloaded from; www.newblehome.co.uk/bonar.
4. The time of the Antichrist’s kingdom
In Revelation, 17 where these ten kings who arise are described again we read
“And the ten horns which you saw are ten kings, who have not yet received a kingdom, but they receive authority with the beast for one hour.”
It is difficult to reconcile this prophecy of the kings, only holding power for one hour, with the nations of Western Europe. The kingdoms of Europe have exercised considerable authority over this world for many centuries. In the Middle East in the territory covered by the former Eastern Roman Empire, there are ten nations, which have only recently gained independence. The time of their formation corresponds to the same period in which the new nation of Israel was established. They are all Muslim and have yet to achieve authority over other nations.
5. The beliefs of Islam
As we have seen above Islam believes in the return of christ. But their christ does not compare with the one whom Christians long for. Primarily, when he comes he will deny that he is the Son of God, and will persecute those who believe in a divine Jesus.
In considering how to recognise Christ, there is a saying in the Hadith attributed to Muhammad which describes him as follows:
“There is no prophet between me and him, that is Jesus (peace be upon him). He will descend (to the earth). When you see him, recognise him: a man of medium height, reddish hair, wearing two light yellow garments, looking as if drops were falling from his head though it will not be wet.”
(Sunan Abu Dawud, vol 3, p 1203)
This is far from the Christian belief that Jesus will return with the glory of Heaven, surrounded by the armies of heaven and all the believers who have placed their trust in Him. None, whether Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, atheist or no faith at all, will have any doubt on that day who it is who has come from heaven.
6. The Completeness of Scripture
“For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. Now you, brothers, like Isaac are children of promise. At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born in the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.” Galatians 4:22 and 28, 29.
The final fulfilment of prophecy will complete the story begun with Abraham. He had two sons - Ishmael born through natural means and Isaac born as a result of Abraham’s faith in God’s promise. Christians by faith in God’s promises are descendants of Abraham. Islam also looks to Abraham, but claim a line of descent through Ishmael. The final conflict of this age will be between the children of faith (Isaac) and the children of works (Ishmael). At the very end of the age it will be as it started 4000 years before.
The Great Deception
The coming of Islam’s christ will be Satan’s final and greatest deception. Muslims will accept him as the christ. Jews will believe that their Messiah has come. Jesus warned them; “if another shall come in his own name you will receive him” (John 5:43). The sleeping church, knowing little of prophecy, will also be deceived and accept him as who he says he is. He will come at first preaching a gospel of peace, and will bring peace to many of the troubled parts of this world.
There is no present leader who fits the one who is expected. His coming will be apparently supernatural, as if from heaven (although scripture tells us he rises from the pit). Satan will use all his power to counterfeit the return of Christ in order to deceive as many as possible. So as to deceive, if possible even the elect (Matt 24:24), is no casual warning, but one we need to take seriously.
Mark Birch and re-blogged from his site at
No comments:
Post a Comment