How Do We Know We Are In The End Times??



Questions? Email: drkdkruse@ or Facebook me at: Kevan KruseMissed a class? DVD’s are available after class or at facebook page “Prophecy Days.”How Do We Know We Are In The End Times??The Decline Of Faith 2 Thessalonians 2 - The Man of LawlessnessNow concerning?the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our?being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers,?2?not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either?by a spirit or a?spoken word, or?a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that?the day of the Lord has come.?3?Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come,?unless the rebellion comes first, and?the man of lawlessness is revealed,?the son of destruction, ?4?who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God,?proclaiming himself to be God.?5?Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things??6?And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.?7?For the mystery of lawlessness?is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.?8?And then?the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus?will kill with?the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by?the appearance of his coming.?9?The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan?with all power and false signs and wonders,?10?and with all wicked deception for?those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.?11?Therefore?God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe?what is false,?12?in order that all may be condemned?who did not believe the truth but?had pleasure in unrighteousness. Stand Firm - 13?But?we ought always to give thanks to God for you,?brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you?as the first fruits?to be saved,?through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.?14?To this he called you through?our gospel,?so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.15?So then, brothers,?stand firm and hold to?the traditions that you were taught by us, either?by our spoken word or by?our letter. 16?Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father,?who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good?hope through grace,?17?comfort your hearts and?establish them in every good work and word. (ESV)2 Timothy 3 - The Last DaysBut understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come.?2?For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,?3?unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good,?4?treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God.?5?They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.?6?For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions.?7?Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.?8?And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people—who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith—also oppose the truth.?9?But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres. (NET)According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, JANNES AND JAMBRES - By:?Kaufmann KohlerNames of two legendary wizards of Pharaoh "who withstood Moses" (II Tim. iii. 8) by imitating "with their enchantments" the works of Moses and Aaron, though they were defeated (Ex. vii. 11, viii. 7). According to rabbinical tradition they were the two chiefs of the magicians at the court of Pharaoh who foretold the birth of Moses, "the destroyer of the land of Egypt," thereby causing the cruel edicts of Pharaoh (So?ah 11a; Sanh. 106a). According to Midrash Yelammedenu, Ki Tissa (Ex. xxxii.), (Talmud) they were among "the mixed multitude that went up with Israel from Egypt" (Ex. xii. 38) and aided in the making of the golden calf. The mentioning Jannes & Jambres, means that there will also be a return of occult power and this will also match the lying signs and wonders that the anti-christ will exhibit. In another study, we will learn that this corresponds with the opening of Abyss.The Scoffers: Where Is Jesus??“Knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,?4?and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as?they were?from the beginning of creation.”?5?For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,?6?by which the world?that?then existed perished, being flooded with water.?7?But the heavens and the earth?which?are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8?But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day?is?as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.?9?The Lord is not slack Concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[HYPERLINK "" \l "fen-NKJV-30532b" \o "See footnote b"b]?not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet 3:4Persecution Is Here & Increasing“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.?19If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.?20Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.?(John 15:19)Pray for the saints that are being killed for their faith around the world, but especially right now for Iran, Iraq and Syria.Remember, if Jesus is worth living for, then He is worth dying for!Daniels 70 Weeks – The Foundation Of ProphecyTo understand that Jesus walked into Jerusalem on the exact day that is was foretold, you must understand Daniel’s 70 weeks. I recommend just searching Google for “Daniel’s 70 weeks by Chuck Missler” on tube. There are also many power point presentations online as well. You will also learn that these weeks are actually 7 year periods and that one of these 70 weeks is missing. Meaning that there is one 7 year period that is left for God to expressly deal with the Jewish people. This is the basis for the tribulation being 7 years long and why the whole world fights over Jerusalem. As we will see in Luke 21, in short, the times of the Gentiles is over and now God will deal with the Jewish people.Before Jesus made a triumphant entry to Jerusalem on the feast of Passover and riding on a donkey, Jesus stood outside Jerusalem and lamented, “?O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34 Matt 16:3, Jesus gives the truth of why they could not recognize the signs. 16?Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.?2?He answered and said to them,?“When it is evening you say, ‘It will be?fair weather, for the sky is red’;?3?and in the morning, ‘It will be?foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites![HYPERLINK "" \l "fen-NKJV-23676a" \o "See footnote a"a]?You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot?discern?the signs of the times.?4?A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”?Jesus clearly expected those who claim to be His people to discern the times. I believe Jesus is weeping and lamenting over the same situation today!We are supposed to know our Bible and observe the times or we cannot lift up our heads knowing our redemption is drawing is nigh. (Luke 21:28) Observance of the times will not just keep us relevant; it will keep us sober and vigilant.The Super Sign – Israel & the Middle EastFor the LORD?shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. Psalms 102:16These 10 Bible prophecies were fulfilled after 1948, when Israel?became an independent country for the second time in history. These prophecies foretold of modern Israel's stunning military victories and of its transition from a desert wasteland to a prosperous nation. The following was borrowed from?.1. Israel will prevail over enemies - Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC?. In Isaiah 41:12-14, the prophet said God would help Israel during times of conflict with enemies (if the people have faith in God). Isaiah said this during a time when the Assyrian Empire had already conquered the northern kingdom of Israel. And the southern kingdom, Judah, was about to be conquered by Babylon. (But, since 1948 when Israel was re-established, much-larger countries have attacked Israel. And Israel has prevailed in each of those attacks. This prophecy has found partial fulfillment; Christian scholars believe that a time will come when all of Israel's enemies are destroyed.2. The ruins of Israel would be rebuilt - Written: about 750 BC?In Amos 9:11, 13, the prophet said that God would restore the land of David. (King David ruled Israel from about 1010 BC to about 970 BC). The land of David - Israel - was conquered and destroyed by the Babylonians, Assyrians and Romans. The land has been in ruins for much of the past 2000 years. The Jews, who had been scattered throughout the world, began to return in large numbers during the past 100 years. Since then, they have been rebuilding many of Israel's ancient cities. Amos also said there would be continuous planting and harvesting. During the past 100 years, the Jews have been using advanced farming and irrigation techniques to turn barren land into productive farmland. Today, Israel is a source of food for many countries.3. Ezekiel prophesied prosperity for modern-day Israel - Written: between 593-571 BC?In Ezekiel 36:11, the prophet said that there would come a time when Israel would be more prosperous than it was in the past. The Bible describes Israel as being a prosperous nation during the time of King David and King Solomon about 3000 years ago. But, Ezekiel knew a very different Israel. In Ezekiel's day (he lived about 2600 years ago), the northern kingdom of Israel already had been decimated by the Assyrians, and the southern kingdom (called Judah) was being destroyed by the Babylonians. In the centuries that followed these destructions, Jews rebuilt the city of Jerusalem, but their homeland was destroyed again, by the Romans, about 1900 years ago. But during the past 100 years, millions of Jews from around the world moved to Israel and they have been rebuilding the country once again. Today, Israel again is an independent nation, as it was in the days of King David, and it is one of the world's most prosperous countries. In 1999, Israel had the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product of any nearby country, even though the surrounding countries have many oil resources.4. Trees again would grow in Israel - Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC?In Isaiah 41:18-20, the prophet's talk of a future restoration of Israel coincides with an occurrence in modern Israel - the construction of a vast irrigation system to improve farming. The lack of available water, including rain, is one reason why Israel had been a desolate, unproductive land during much of the past 2000 years. But, during the 1900s, when many Jews returned to their ancient homeland, they built a network of irrigation systems. And during the past century, more than 200 million trees have been planted in Israel.5. Isaiah said Israel's fruit would fill the world - Written: perhaps between 701-681 BC?In Isaiah 27:6, the prophet said Israel would one day blossom and fill the world with fruit. This prophecy has been at least partially fulfilled, literally and symbolically. Today, the land of Israel, which had been barren for centuries, is a leading producer of agricultural products, exporting food to many countries. This prophecy also has been fulfilled symbolically with the worldwide spread of Christianity (about 2 billion followers worldwide).6. Jerusalem would become the world's most important religious site - Written: 750-686 BC?In Micah 4:1, the prophet said that the Temple mount in Jerusalem would become the focal point of the world. This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled. But, it is interesting to note that Jerusalem is, and has been for centuries, the world's most important religious site. Christians and Jews regard the city as the world's most important, and Christians and Jews comprise about one-third of the world's population. No other city in the world is a religious focal point to as many people.7. Egypt would never again rule over other nations - Written: between 593-571 BC?In Ezekiel 29:15, the prophet says that Egypt would recover from a desolation (perhaps Babylon's attack about 2600 years ago), but that it would never again rule over other nations. Up until the time of Ezekiel, Egypt had been a world power for centuries, dominating many nations, including Israel. But for most of the past 2500 years, Egypt has been controlled by foreign powers, including the Romans, Ottomans and Europeans. Today, Egypt is an independent nation again. In 1948, 1967 and 1973, Egypt tried to dominate Israel but was unsuccessful each time, despite the fact that Egypt is 10 times larger than Israel. Since the time of Ezekiel, Egypt no longer rules over other nations.8. Zechariah prophesied the Jews return to Jerusalem - Written: between 520 and 518 BC?In Zechariah 8:7-8, the prophet said God would bring the Jews back from the east and the west to their homeland (Israel) and that they would be able to live in the city of Jerusalem again. This prophecy has been fulfilled more than once. About 2600 years ago, Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and took many Jews as captives to Babylon. But many Jews later returned from Babylon. The Jews rebuilt Jerusalem, but the city was destroyed about 1900 years ago by the Romans. The Jews did not have control of Jerusalem again until 1967 when the Jews recaptured the city during the Six Day War.9. Israel's deserts will become like the Garden of Eden - Written: between 701-681 BC?In Isaiah 51:3, the prophet said that God will restore Israel and make it a paradise, like the garden of Eden. This foreshadows what is currently happening in Israel. The Jews have been irrigating, cultivating and reconditioning the land during much of the 1900s. Many of the country's swamps, which had been infested with malaria, have been converted into farmland. And water from the Sea of Galilee has been channeled through portions of the deserts, allowing some of the deserts to bloom. Much work remains, but parts of Israel are blooming again. Although it was described as a wasteland as recently as the late 1800s, Israel is now a food source for many countries. And at least 200 million of trees have been planted there during the past century.10. Isaiah foretold of the worldwide return of Jews to Israel - Written: between 701-681 BC?In Isaiah 43:5-6, the prophet Isaiah said that the Jews would return to their homeland from the east, the west, the north and the south. Isaiah lived about 2700 years ago. At that time, the Assyrians had forced many Jews in the northern kingdom of Israel into exile. Those Jews were taken to other areas in the Middle East. Then, about 1900 years ago, the Romans destroyed the city of Jerusalem and killed and exiled hundreds of thousands of Jews. Since then, the Jews have been scattered to virtually every country in the world. But, during the past century, millions of Jews have returned to Israel, from the east, the west, the north and the south.From the east:?Many Jews living in the Middle East moved to Israel by the early 1900s.From the west:?During mid-1900s, hundreds of thousands of Jews living in the West (Europe and the United States) began moving to Israel.From the north:?The former Soviet Union (Russia) is north of Israel. It refused to allow its Jewish residents to move to Israel. But, after years of pressure from other countries, Russia finally began to allow Jews to return to Israel during the 1980s. So far, hundreds of thousands of Russian Jews have moved to Israel.From the south:?Ethiopia, which is south of Israel, also refused to allow its Jews to return to Israel. But, in 1985, Israel struck a deal with Ethiopia's communist government to allow the Jews of Ethiopia to move to Israel. On the weekend of May 25, 1991, 14,500 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted to Israel.Isaiah's prophecy was also correct in saying that the north (Russia) and the south (Ethiopia) would have to be persuaded to give up their Jews. Many countries pressured Russia for years before it began to allow its Jews to leave. And Ethiopia had to be paid a ransom to allow its Jews to leave.Isaiah's prophecy was also correct in saying that the Jews would return "from the ends of the earth," and Isaiah said that many centuries before the Jews had been scattered to the ends of the earth. During the past 100 years, Jews living as far east as China, as far west as the West Coast of the United States, as far north as Scandinavia, and as far south as South Africa, have moved to Israel.Hosea’s 3 Days = 3000 YearsHosea 5: 14 - For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, like a great lion to Judah. I will tear them to pieces and go away; I will carry them off, with no one to rescue them. 15?Then I will return to my lair until they have borne their guilt and seek my face— in their misery they will earnestly seek me.”6:1 - “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; He has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. 2?After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.If one day is as a thousand years to God, then it means after two thousand years God will restore Israel. This is very close to the number of years between the destruction of Jerusalem and it’s restoration.This also substantiates that there will be a millennial reign of Christ on the earth after that for 1000 years and we shall live in His presence.As you can see, most of prophecy all revolves around Israel and we need to support her today like never before! We are on the verge of abandoning Israel as a nation!Genesis 12:3 -?I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (NKJV) The Olivet Discourses - Matthew 24:1- 25;46; Mark 13; Luke 21Luke 21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple5?Then, as some spoke of the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and donations, He said,?6?“These things which you see—the days will come in which not?one stone shall be left upon another that shall not be thrown down.”The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age7?So they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, but when will these things be? And what sign?will there be?when these things are about to take place?” 8?And He said:?“Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am?He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore,?do not go after them.?9?But when you hear of wars and commotions, do not be terrified; for these things must come to pass first, but the end?will?not?come?immediately.”10?Then He said to them,?“Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.11?And there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences; and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.?12?But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and ersecute?you,?delivering?you?up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake.?13?But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony.?14?Therefore settle?it?in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;?15?for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.?16?You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put?some?of you to death.?17?And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.?18?But not a hair of your head shall be lost.?19?By your patience possess your souls.The Destruction of Jerusalem20?“But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is near.?21?Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the midst of her depart, and let not those who are in the country enter her.?22?For these are the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.?23?But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! For there will be great distress in the land and wrath upon this people.?24?And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.The Coming of the Son of ManAnd there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;?26?men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.?27?Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.?28?Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”The Parable of the Fig Tree29?Then He spoke to them a parable:?“Look at the fig tree, and all the trees.?30?When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near.?31?So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near.32?Assuredly, I say to you, this generation (the generation that saw the end of the ties of the gentiles) will by no means pass away till all things take place.?33?Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.FYI: One generation is 70 years, 70 years from 1948 is 2018; One generation from 1967 is 2037. We are in this time frame!The Importance of Watching34?“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.?35?For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.?36?Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy?to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”The Masada MysteryJonathon Cahn documents in his movie, the “Masada Mystery” that Israel becoming a nation again fulfills Ezekiel 36 & 37. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually excavated the site for a ceremony and found those exact verses that say, “then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’12?Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord?God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.?13?Then you shall know that I?am?the?Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves.?14?I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the?Lord, have spoken?it?and performed?it,” says the?Lord.” Later in that same ceremony, the prime minister declared to the whole world that these verses have come true.WWIII? If Ezekiel 36 & 37 have come true, then Ezekiel 38 & 39 maybe right around the corner.Preparation for Ezekiel 38–39The war described in? HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" Ezekiel 38–39?is predicted as occurring in the last days, and there are some similarities between it and the War of Armageddon. But there are enough differences that we must conclude it is a different conflict altogether. Such timing would place it before or at the beginning of the Tribulation. One possible scenario is that this war is the trigger event that brings about the one world government. In the War of Gog and Magog, the nation to the extreme north of Israel (Magog) organizes an invasion of Israel. Magog has traditionally been interpreted as being what we know as Russia, which is to the extreme due north of Israel. But Russia does not act alone. The Bear of the north forms an alliance with several specific nations surrounding Israel at a distance: Persia (Iran), Ethiopia and Libya. These are the exact players today that are trying to form a united Arab world.Again, this is something that I have been told my whole life would happen. Frankly, I never believed that Iran and Russia would form an alliance. See the article on the next page.IranIran is important because of several things. It is named as one of the countries going along with Russia against Israel. The bible also says that the “Prince of Persia”, a fallen angel, is especially powerful and resides in the region as a spiritual principality. Dan 10:13. You can’t celebrate “death to America” since the taking of US hostages on Nov 4, 1979 and then say that America has nothing to worry about with a nuclear Iran. They call us the big satan and Israel the little satan. This also has something to do with the priority level in the way that might attack as well. Sanctions have never stopped North Korea or Pakistan from developing nuclear weapons and they wont help here. Their plan is to cripple oil transport and other countries that produce oil in the Persian Gulf destroying America financially. I also believe that they will try to do something nuclear within the United States, but not Israel. They want to take over Israel, but not blow it up.WWIII - Russia announces military alliance with Iran - Putin vows to help accelerate Iranian nuclear programme and defend Iran against western aggressionValdimir Putin pledges to complete Iranian nuclear reactorPresident Putin forged an alliance with Iran yesterday against any military action by the West and pledged to complete the controversial Iranian nuclear power plant at Bushehr. A summit of Caspian Sea nations in Tehran agreed to bar foreign states from using their territory for military strikes against a member country. Mr Putin, the first Kremlin leader to visit Iran since the Second World War, insisted that the use of force was unacceptable. SOURCE: The Times, "Vladimir Putin pledges to complete Iranian nuclear reactor", 17 October 2007. HYPERLINK "" \t "_blank" 'The Mahdi does not negotiate. Neither should we' – By CHARLES S. FADDIS | Special to The Tampa Tribune Published: February 05, 2012 Several years ago, prior to my retirement from the CIA, I was meeting with a senior Iranian asset in the Middle East. I had finished debriefing him on the intelligence he had to provide, and we had launched into a more expansive conversation about the overall direction of American policy toward Iran. I was trying to explain the rationale behind our sanctions regime and the thought process that had led us to conclude that we could persuade the Islamic Republic of Iran to modify its behavior.The asset interrupted me. "You really don't have any idea who you are dealing with, do you?" he asked. I told him I was not sure I understood what he meant. The source elaborated. We were under the illusion we were dealing with rational actors. We were not. We were under the illusion we were playing a game, which would stretch out over many years. Our adversaries in Iran shared no such belief. They expected this conflict to reach its climax in the near future. They also knew, to a moral certainty that they would win.Iran is an overwhelmingly Islamic nation, and almost all Iranians belong to the Twelver sect of the Shia branch of Islam. This sect awaits the return of the 12th Imam, or Mahdi, a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad anointed by Allah himself. According to the Twelver, the Mahdi has been in hiding in caves since the 9th century. The Mahdi has been hidden for 1,200 years now, but he will return just before the Day of Judgment. According to the Hadith, his return will be preceded by three years of chaos, violence and cataclysmic events. He will rule over the world for a period of seven years, eliminate all tyranny and oppression, and usher in an era of peace. He is, in many ways, the Muslim equivalent of the Jewish Messiah or the Second Coming of Christ. He is, however, the only one of these apocalyptic figures who expressly intends violent world conquest.Some Twelvers, including the current president of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, believe that they are to prepare the way for the return of the Mahdi. In order to do so, they are to bring on the state of chaos and destruction, which will precede the Mahdi’s return. The worse things get; the faster they win.The source's point was not simply to remind me of the tenets of the Twelver sect, with which I was already familiar. It was to stress the literal sense in which these tenets were understood by Ahmadinejad, Khamenei and their supporters. These were not, the source stressed, metaphors or parables. Ahmadinejad did not understand the story of the Mahdi to be a reference to some end state in which the world would live in peace and harmony. He understood it in a completely literal, simplistic way. He accepted it word for word as the absolute truth. The Mahdi was, in effect, an Islamic superman. When he returned he would crush the infidels and apostates and create an Islamic empire that would control the entire planet. No one would be able to stand against him.And, he was coming soon. As the source noted, the "End of Days" were not events of some distant future. They were around the corner. He guessed that Ahmadinejad probably thought in terms of a reappearance of the Mahdi within 18 months to two years.Negotiation is all about leverage. Go onto a car lot and try to strike a deal with a guy who can hardly keep up with demand, and you're not going to have a lot of luck. Ask a guy who hasn't sold a car in month to make you an offer, and it may well be your lucky day. Sanctions don't provide a lot of leverage over individuals who know as an article of faith that their secret weapon is about to emerge from his hiding place and slay their enemies.Negotiation is also about rationality. At the height of the Cold War, no matter how bad relations between the United States and the Soviet Union were, we could always count on the Russians to be cold, calculating and rational. They might wish our destruction with every fiber of their beings, but they had no delusions about divine intervention. They understand, perhaps better than we did, the brutal, hard calculus demanded by reality. None of that applies to our confrontation with Iran. Until such time as there has been a true sea change inside of Iran, negotiation and discussion is largely useless. We may choose to engage in it so that we are seen by the rest of the world as flexible and open to dialogue. We may choose to engage in it in order to buy time. We should be under no illusion that there is any real chance of such dialogue leading to a meaningful, lasting modification of Iranian behavior.None of this is to suggest that we ought, therefore, rush to engage the Iranians in a conventional military conflict. We could no doubt make quick work of what passes for an Iranian Navy and clear the skies of Iranian aircraft in short order, but unless we are prepared to physically occupy Iran, neither of those things will solve our problem. We will still be faced with an implacable foe. And, in any event, another major conventional commitment of resources at this time in American history is probably the last thing we need.It is an argument for a completely pragmatic, realpolitik approach to Iran. Negotiations will not work. Sanctions may physically weaken the Islamic regime and limit its ability to do harm, but they will not make it change course. We would prefer not to have to go to war. So, we should, therefore, take all measures short of open war to actively frustrate the objectives of the regime.What that means in practice is this. If the Iranians need materials for nuclear weapons programs or other military purposes, we should deny them to them. To the extent possible we should look for all available means of dismantling and handicapping existing weapons programs. If necessary, and consistent with our laws and values, we should deny the Islamic regime access to the personnel it needs to continue to chart its present course. In other words, we should accept that we cannot expect the Iranians to alter their behavior or their attitudes and focus instead on physically preventing them from achieving their goals.I have no illusions about the implications of the course of action I am suggesting. It is, in all likelihood, a recommendation that we conduct what amounts to a shadow war against Iran for the foreseeable future. However open-ended and however unsatisfactory this course of action may be, however, it is infinitely preferable to the alternative, which is to allow the Iranians to arm themselves with nuclear weapons and to continue to destabilize the Middle East and Central Asia.The Mahdi does not negotiate. Neither should we. Charles Faddis is a former CIA operations officer who served 20 years in the Near East and South Asia. He retired in May 2008 as head of the CIA's WMD terrorism unit. He also is an author and consultant. Muslim Prophesy – Commentary taken from Forbes MagazineIran's president and mullahs are rooting for the Democrats. Is Barack Obama the "promised warrior" coming to help the Hidden Imam of Shiite Muslims conquer the world?The question has made the rounds in Iran since last month, when a pro-government Web site published a Hadith (or tradition) from a Shiite text of the 17th century. The tradition comes from Bahar al-Anvar (meaning Oceans of Light) by Mullah Majlisi, a magnum opus in 132 volumes and the basis of modern Shiite Islam. According to the tradition, Imam Ali Ibn Abi-Talib (the prophet's cousin and son-in-law) prophesied that at the End of Times and just before the return of the Mahdi, the Ultimate Savior, a "tall black man will assume the reins of government in the West." Commanding "the strongest army on earth," the new ruler in the West will carry "a clear sign" from the third imam, whose name was Hussein Ibn Ali. The tradition concludes: "Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us."In a curious coincidence Obama's first and second names--Barack Hussein--mean "the blessing of Hussein" in Arabic and Persian. His family name, Obama, written in the Persian alphabet, reads O Ba Ma, which means "he is with us," the magic formula in Malice’s tradition. See rest of article.The point here is that the Muslims also have a prophetic sequence that they are following that mirrors ours in that they want to bring on the Apocalypse.Other Possible Wars Before The TribulationPsalms 83 War – by Bill Salus. Joel Richardson disagrees with this possibility.Isaiah 17 – The Destruction of Damascus – Again, there are many views as to whether this has been fulfilled, but there is a lot of wars happening in Syria and ISIS is held up there. The name of their magazine is Dabiq because they believe that is the location of the Muslim Armageddon.Elam: Iran’s Forgotten Prophecy – by Bill Salus – Jeremiah 9:34–39 There are two main trains of thought for Muslims on prophecy. The main difference comes from whether they are Sunnis or Shias.The?Sunni?are the majority in most Islamic countries outside of Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Bahrain. Sunni—translated variously as the "trodden path," "the way," "example," or "habitual practice"—refers to the example or path of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers. Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or?ISIS is Sunni.Isis is fulfilling the caliphate?(a person considered a political and religious successor to the prophet Muhammad and a leader of the entire Muslim community) of Allah. They are flying under the black banner of Khorasan; they believe the Mahdi will arise from that group. This is why they wear long beards and black flags. Mahdism is still very similar to the Twelvers in that they still have to initiate this apocalyptic war.Shiites?= the party of Ali, the second largest branch of Islam,?Shiites currently account for 10%–15% of all Muslims. Shiite?Islam originated as a political movement supporting Ali (cousin and son-in-law of Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam) as the rightful leader of the Islamic state. Twelver Shia?is the largest branch of Shia Islam, and the term Shia Muslim is often taken to refer to Twelvers by default.?The 12th Imam is considered to be the only legitimate and just ruler, and therefore no political action taken in his absence can be fruitful.Beheadings – this is happening right now.And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then?I saw?the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received?his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a[HYPERLINK "" \l "fen-NKJV-31043a" \o "See footnote a"a]thousand years. Rev 20:4EncouragementJeremiah 20:11?But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one: therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail: they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper: their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten.Romans 8:35?Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?How blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake because the kingdom from heaven belongs to them! How blessed are you whenever people insult you, persecute you, and say all sorts of evil things against you falsely because of me! Rejoice and be extremely glad, because your reward in heaven is great! That’s how they persecuted the prophets who came before you. — Matthew 5:10–12, ISV ................
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