Will Islam Conquer The World - Part Two
Pastor Longinus Ekeh,January 1, 2015
(If you have not read the Part One of this article it would be beneficial to read it first, click this this link, Will Islam Conquer the World? Part One).
In the previous article we surveyed how Islam has entrenched itself in the Western nations to the extent of causing a major change in the traditional lifestyles and history of these nations. The success of Islam in the West is manifest in the fact that, it has become politically correct to favour pro-Islamic individuals and opinions in the political cycle; besides the enormous influence it wields on policy issues in the West. Islam has become a major influential factor in key political, social and religious decisions in Europe and America. For instance in Spain, the Supreme Court ruled to deport a Pakistani refugee, Firasat, for his critical comments about Islam. In Netherlands, a Parliamentarian, Geert Wilders, was interrogated by the State Police who were weighing the option to sue him for his comments about what he perceived to be the rising dominance of Islam in Netherlands. While Christianity is blasphemed with impunity, criticism against Islam is considered a hate speech.
The Prophetic Outlook
The current Islamic revolution was indirectly indicated in the Scriptures, and it would help to fulfill some major events at this end time. According to the Scriptures, Islam would be a dominant influence at end time. Let us see how this could happen.
1.Economic Dominance
Rev.6:5-6, ”When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘Two pounds of wheat for a day’s wages, and six pounds of barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!’”
Scholars in Biblical Prophecies know that this scripture has dual meanings and several applications. There is the spiritual meaning when we see the Holy Spirit as the Oil and His influence (power, gifts, inspirations, etc.) as the wine. Quoting from the MacLaren's Expositions,
"Wind, fire, water, oil,- these four are constant Scriptural symbols for the Spirit of God ... We have then the Breath of the Spirit, the Fire of the Spirit, the Water of the Spirit, and the Anointing Oil of the Spirit. And the consideration of these four will bring out a great many of the principal Scriptural ideas about the gift of the Spirit of God which belongs to all Christian souls."
Ephesians 5:18 says "Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit..." The indication here is that, the Holy Spirit has intoxicating effect just like wine! That was why, in the Upper Room, when the people were filled with the Holy Spirit observers thought they were drunk (Acts 2:1-13).
"... do not damage the oil and the wine..." is an indication that, even in the days of the Black Horse Rider, the ministration of the Holy Ghost in and through the saints would continue.
The flip side of that scripture talks about physical oil and wine. It is a prophetic declaration that when the economy of this world comes under judgment, oil production and sales would not be affected. Prophetically, all agrarian economy would not avoid economic turmoil, whether now or later, as a result of natural as well as man-made disasters. While the economies of the Western nations are based on agriculture, technology and trading, the economies of the Arab nations are based on oil revenues. Natural disaster, financial meltdown, and other economic hazards would plague the West, and then the Arabs would take the centre stage, directly or indirectly. Islam would become the carrot, irresistible to hungry Western nations.
2.The Shape of the United Nations
Islam is going to shape the next face of the United Nations. Currently the United Nations is predominantly Islamic. Although none of the Islamic nations has a veto power, their pressure on these super power nations is felt on how their veto power is exercised. US, China, Russia, all operate economies which heavily depend on oil, and they also fear the rage of radical Islam.
According to the prophecies of Ezekiel (chapters 38 and 39), Russia would align with the Islamic nations to obtain a UN sponsored invasion of Israel. The invaders would include Turkey, Iran, Germany and North Africa, led by Russia. The US and the West who were supposed to oppose this invasion would be too passive to offer any resistance. In other words, America and Europe would be so neutralized by radical Islam that the West would scarcely stand against Islamic interests publicly.
It could be seen from the prophecies of Ezekiel that the Western nations would be undone by Islam to the extent that they would become too feeble to confront Islam publicly. For detailed expository teaching on the invasion of Israel by Russia read our article, “Will Russia Invade Israel?”
3.The Antichrist – an Islamic Figure?
Opinion is making round in Christendom lately to indicate that after all, the much talked about Antichrist could be the same as the Islamic Al Madhi. Some notable Bible scholars, Pastors, Professors, Presidents of Theological Seminaries, etc. have come to share this belief. But I found the article of Michael Youssef in the Charisma Magazine, titled “The Antichrist and the Muslim Madhi”1 a better presentation based on Biblical perspectives. I recommend that for readers.
While I do not see the possibility of the Antichrist being a Muslim, I can see that he would be someone who is popularly accepted by Muslim leaders. I hold this opinion for several reasons, two of which are,
The Antichrist would solve the Mideast crises with the Arab/Islamic leaders in agreement;
The Arab/Islamic world would submit their resources (including oil) to the control of the Antichrist.
Neither of the above would be a possibility if the Arab/Islamic leaders do not accept the leadership of this world ruler. Our article on the prophetic significance of the current wave of Islamic revolution would continue next month when we shall explore the drastic changes in store for Christianity and Islam.
Watch and Pray!
Luke 12:35-39, 35“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, 36as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast. Then you will be ready to open the door and let him in the moment he arrives and knocks. 37The servants who are ready and waiting for his return will be rewarded. I tell you the truth, he himself will seat them, put on an apron, and serve them as they sit and eat! 38He may come in the middle of the night or just before dawn. But whenever he comes, he will reward the servants who are ready. 39“Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would not permit his house to be broken into. 40You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
We do not need a Daniel to interpret for us these writings on the wall! They are made plain on the pages of the Holy Scripture. Our responsibility is to ensure that we are ready when Jesus Christ returns. Our readiness would be evident in earnest expectation of the return of Jesus Christ, earnest service, devotion, burning zeal and holy living.
I pray that the God of grace grant everyone who reads this the grace to purge himself of all forms of impurities, and be clothed in God’s righteousness alone, ready for Master Jesus!
References:
1. The article of Michael Youssef on the Antichrist and the Muslim Madhi
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father..." (John 14:12).