Both Sunni and Shi’a branches of Islam await the coming of their messianic leader, the Mahdi. The Sunni Muslims refer to him as the “rightly-guided and awaited one” and Shi’a Muslims acknowledge him by the title Sahib Al-Zaman, “The Lord of the Age.” The biblical scriptures know this figure as Satan who is likewise called “The Lord of the Age.” The Muslims Messiah is the Christian’s Antichrist.
Walid Shoebat, in God’s War on Terror: Islam, Prophecy and the Bible writes:
According to Islamic tradition, the Mahdi doesn’t merely emerge as some vague great religious leader; he will return to reinstate the office of the Caliphate. Islam directs its followers: “If you see him, go and give him your allegiance, even if you have to crawl over ice, because he is Vice-regent (Khalifa) of Allah, the Mahdi.” “For he will pave the way for, and establish the government of, the family [or community] of Mohammed . . . Every believer will be obligated to support him.”[1]
The Caliph is virtually the same as the Pope in religious matters. However, the Caliph also reigns as the chief ruler of an Islamic world government (Caliphate), with absolute authority in Islamic law. Shoebat gives an accurate summary of the Caliphate to come:
But since 1924, after nearly fourteen centuries of “divine rule,” the office of the Caliph was finally abolished. Today, the movement throughout the Muslim world to reinstate the Caliphate is exploding with a force that is volcanic. With the mandate to have both seats of the Mahdi and Caliph in one, Mohammed said, “There would be a caliph in the last period of my Ummah . . . He would be Imam Mahdi.” In other words, this last Khalifa, when he is installed, would be the Mahdi of the End-Times.[2]
All Muslims are required to pay homage and absolute allegiance to the coming Mahdi. The prevalent myth of a moderate Muslim will reveal itself as a complete charade once the Mahdi assumes command. Today, a small percentage of Muslims are violent radicals; but when the Mahdi arises the moderates will be forced to submit and obey. The majority of Muslims in the Last Days will become a Jihadic-minded majority and the disobedient liberal Muslims will be immediately killed. This universal requirement to believe in the awaited Mahdi was proclaimed as a fatwa by the Muslim World League in 1976. Numerous Hadith accounts attest to the coming Mahdi and are cited as obligatory for all Muslims to believe.[3]
In 2005, many nations were given a preview of Mahdi worship as they listened to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad address the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Shoebat writes:
Ahmadinejad actually prayed, “O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the promised one, that perfect and pure human being, the one that will fill this world with justice and peace.” The Mahdi, who is referred to as “the perfect human being who is heir to all prophets and pious men.” The Mahdi is heir to all prophets? According to Islam, Mohammed is the final prophet and the perfect man. What Ahmadinejad was saying is that the Mahdi of Islam is essentially the reincarnation of Mohammad. . . . Ibn Katheer, the renowned Muslim scholar from the eighth century stated that, “After the lesser signs of the hour appear and increase, mankind will have reached a stage of great suffering. Then the awaited Mahdi will appear; He is the first of the greater clear, signs of the hour.”[4]
One may wonder if someone such as Ahmadinejad or any similar like-minded individual may wish to instigate a worldwide conflagration with maximum suffering in order to speed up the coming of their much desired Mahdi.
THE MAHDI AND ANTICHRIST PARALLELS
The parallels between the Islamic Mahdi and Antichrist are numerous. Islam is Antichrist in spirit and aligns perfectly with the chief blasphemer, Satan. All the essential doctrines of Christianity required for salvation are disavowed by Islamic creeds. Islam is a complete opposite of Christianity, much like anti-matter to matter or black to white. Even the titles and traits between Christ and Mahdi (Antichrist) are reversed: Jesus Christ is the Son of God but the Antichrist is the Son of Perdition [Ruin, Damnation, Wickedness; i.e. Satan] (II Thes. 2:3,8), Jesus (Yahsu) is called the Truth yet the Antichrist (Satan) is called the Father of Lies (Jn. 8:44), Jesus is called the Holy One while the Antichrist is the Son of Perdition (II Thes. 2:3), Jesus is named the Mystery of Godliness whereas the Antichrist is titled the Mystery of Iniquity (II Thes. 2:7, Rev. 17:5).[5]
Denial of Trinity and Sonship of Christ
Islam denies the triune nature of the Godhead, “They blaspheme who say that Allah is the third of three” (Qur’an 5:73). Likewise, Islam specifically denies the Sonship of God in several Qur’an suras:
“. . . the Christians call Christ the Son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouth; (In this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah’s curse be upon them: How they are deluded away from the Truth!” (Qur’an 9:30); “They say: ‘The Most Gracious has betaken a son!’ Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous! As if the skies are about to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin, that they attribute a son to the Most Gracious. For it is not consonant with the Most Gracious that he should beget a son.” (Qur’an 19:88-92); “They disbelieve indeed those that say Allah is Christ the son of Mary” (Qur’an 5:17).
The Bible clearly states, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also” (I Jn. 2:22-23).
Likewise, “Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist . . . ” (I Jn. 4:2-3). Again, Islam fills the role as Antichrist by vehemently denying the incarnated Son of God and the Triune Godhead.
Denial of Crucifixion and Resurrection
Islamic blasphemy against Christ continues in its refusal to accept the testimony of the crucifixion and resurrection:
“That they said (in boast), ‘We killed Christ Jesus the son of Mary, the Messenger of Allah’;- But they killed him not, nor crucified him. Only a likeness of that was shown to them. And those who differ therein are full of doubts, with no (certain) knowledge. But only conjecture to follow, for a surety they killed him not: Nay, Allah raised him up unto Himself; and Allah is Exhalted in Power, Wise (Qur’an 4:157-8).
Interestingly, Muslims cannot all agree in the interpretation of this passage. They are actually the ones confused and without certain knowledge. A majority of Muslim interpreters believe that Jesus is somewhere still living in a body and will appear after the coming of the Mahdi. In Islamic eschatology Jesus is subservient to the Mahdi. Once again, Islam remains in opposite juxtaposition, for the Bible states the Antichrist (Mahdi) will be defeated by Christ and thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 19:20). Other Muslims accept the Gnostic heresies which state that Christ did not have a real physical body but only appeared to die on the cross. Regardless as to what interpretation Muslims adhere to, they all deny Christ died on the cross. Muslim commentators often claim this denial is in correlation to the theological doctrine of blood sacrifice and the vicarious atonement for sins for which Muslims vehemently reject. Yet again, Islam denies an essential tenet of salvation in both Judaism and Christianity.
The apostle John wrote, “For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (II Jn. 1:7). Again, Islam dogma denies that Christ came in the flesh as the incarnate Son. The Antichrist is also called a “deceiver” and exactly matches the Mahdi’s character. Allah is called the makara (great deceiver) in the original Arabic. Likewise, the Mahdi, possessed by Satan, will also deceive the whole world into bowing allegiance to him.
Islamic dogma spews out blasphemy after blasphemy against God (Yahveh). The future Antichrist (Mahdi) will follow suit as recorded in biblical prophecy:
And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.” (Rev. 13:5-7).
Attempt to Change the Set Times and Laws
According to the prophet Daniel, the Antichrist “shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws” (Dan. 7:25). The Islamic calendar based on the life of Muhammad and the lunar cycle is obligatory for all Muslims to follow. In addition, Sharia law also remains the religious legal system imposed upon citizens in Islamic dominated societies. Once the Mahdi/Antichrist takes control of the worldwide caliphate he will attempt to usurp all existing constitutional laws with Sharia Law and institute an Islamic lunar calendar.
Denial of Women’s Rights
Both the Mahdi and Antichrist deny women’s rights in the new world caliphate, “Neither shall he regard the God of his fathers nor the desire of women” (Dan. 11:37). Some prophecy analysts erroneously claim the Antichrist is a homosexual. The text in the original Hebrew quite clearly states that he will not “regard” the desire(s) of women. Under the caliphate, Sharia Law will be instituted and women’s rights will be null and void.
Honoring a God of War
The Antichrist will be completely possessed by Satan in the Last Days and the Mahdi will be controlled by Allah. One of the 99 titles for Allah is “Al-Mumeet” which literally translates as “the one who possesses the power of death, causer of death, the slayer, and the taker or destroyer of life.” This matches the biblical description of Satan, “The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (Jn. 10:10). In Revelation 9:11, Satan is named Abaddon (the destroyer) and in Greek, Apollyon. Many other scriptures refer to Satan as the bringer of death and destruction.
The coming Mahdi is described by Hughes:
According to Shi’ah traditions, Muhammad is related to have said: “O ye people! I am the Prophet and Ali is my heir, and from us will descend al-Mahdi, the seal (i.e. the last) of the Imams, who will conquer all religions and take vengeance on the wicked. He will take fortresses and will destroy them, and slay every tribe of idolaters, and he will avenge the deaths of the martyrs of God.[6]
This description again parallels the coming Antichrist who shall lead the Caliphate Empire, “and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces” (Dan. 7:23); and “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Rev 13:4). Shoebat cites the Muslim viewpoint of the Mahdi’s rise to power:
Even the most moderate and ecumenical Muslim thinkers believe in the coming Mahdi to rule the world by military force. Harun Yahya, an allegedly moderate and prolific Muslim author, responds to a question posted on his website: “The Mahdi will invade all the places between the East and the West.” Elsewhere, Yahya refers to the Mahdi’s irresistible qualities as one who subdues the whole world: “Nobody can stand in the way of the Mahdi and dominion he will have over the world.”[7]
Muslim scholars believe the Mahdi will lead a powerful army into many Jihad wars against the world nations in pursuit of global domination for Islam. As demonstated in chapter five, Allah was archaeologically equivalent of the gods Sin and Ilumqah (Sabean god), both of whom were defined as war gods. In Moon-O-Theism, Joel Natan writes:
Male moon-gods in the Mideast often are pictured with scimitars due to the scimitar-shape of the crescent moon. Thus moon-gods were natural warrior gods. This fact seems to have been recognized by Gilgamesh. Gilgamesh seems to credit Sin for his ability to take an ax and a sword to kill and scatter a pride of lions on the prowl at night.[8]
Allah remains a war god and many Islamic flags and emblems portray two crossed swords as their sign.
The prophet Daniel provides an important passage regarding the Antichrist and his religious beliefs:
Neither shall he regard the God (gods – elohei) of his fathers, nor the desire of women, nor regard any god: for he shall magnify himself above all. But in his estate (instead) shall he honor the God of forces (fortresses): and a god whom his fathers knew not shall he honor with gold, and silver, and with precious stones, and pleasant things. Thus shall he do in the most strongholds (he will attack the mightiest fortresses) with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain (Dan. 11:37-39).
In the original Hebrew language, the first usage of “God” in verse 37 should be translated in the plural as “gods.”[9] Could this refer to the origins of Islam concocted by Muhammad? His ancestors worshipped 360 gods in the Kabah shrine and he smashed all their idols but the black stone which represented Allah. However, Muhammad attached many new syncretized religions and heretical cultic dogma to the veneration of Allah. Soon the Allah of the pagans was transformed into a hybrid moon-god with added characteristics, features and beliefs. Muhammad’s new religious matrix of Islam, was given a monotheistic slant, so much so, that he went to war against his own people, the Quraysh, slaughtering many. Thus, Muhammad in effect, no longer followed or honored the gods of his fathers (ancestors). If the Antichrist/Mahdi comes from a similar background in the future the passage fits him and Islam as well.
The Antichrist will honor a god of fortresses. In other words, he will honor a god of war (the moon-god, Allah) and attack the strong fortresses (other military superpowers). The Antichrist will also exhibit traits of one possessed by Satan, “nor regard any (other) god: for he shall magnify himself above all” (Dan. 11:37). Satan was the extreme rebel and standard in this regard since he exalted himself above God and decided at some point to divert worship toward himself only.
The Antichrist/Mahdi will only follow Satan who will have taken full possession of him. He will only regard the god of war (Satan) in his quest for world domination and conquest.
“O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh with them . . . ” (Qur’an 66:9); “And fight them on until there is no more persecution, and religion becomes Allah’s in its entirety . . . And know that out of all the booty that ye may acquire (in war), a fifth share is assigned” (Qur’an 8:39-41).
Satan Represented as the Crescent New Moon
In the Book of Judges, Gideon defends Israel against the armies of Midian, some of which were Ishmaelites through intermarriage. Gideon “took away the ornaments (crescents – saharon) that were on their camels’ necks” (Judg. 8:21). The original Hebrew should translate “moon” or “crescents” according to the Hebrew Lexicons and stems from the root of sahar.[10] It may be that these were crescent moon shaped ornaments/medalions fastened with chains to the camels (Judg. 8:26). These peoples were known to have worshipped the moon-god. In a close linguistic correlation, sahar “crescent/moon”in Judges 8:21 may be compared to a related word shahar “dawn” in Isaiah 14:12. The former uses the consonant Sin and the latter Shin. One may reason that the crescent moon may be seen visibly at early dawn and therefore closely related. Isaiah addresses the king of Babylon (a type of Satan and the coming Antichrist/Mahdi) in these terms:
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer (hallal – new/crescent moon or shining one), son of the morning (shahar – dawn)! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: . . . I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit. They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms (Isa. 14:12-16).
Notice the exact parallel between Satan and the Antichrist mentioned previously, “for he shall magnify himself above all” (Dan. 11:37). Furthermore, The Qur’an actually commands the Muslims to worship and trust in Satan, “Say: I seek refuge in the Lord of the Dawn” (Qur’an 113:1).
In addition, the similarities between Satan and the crescent moon (moon-god) appear striking. From the web site www.backyardprofessor.com, Kerry Shirts writes:
Gleason L. Archer in his stimulating text “Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties,” Zondervan Press, 1982, noted that not only does the Hebrew “Helel” translate as “heosphoros” in the Greek, but it really means “Dawn-bringer and referring to the morning star.” He further elaborates explaining the reasons obvious to one who understands the Ancient Near East languages, unlike yourself, “the Syriac Peshitta simply gives it as a proper name closely resembling “Helel” i.e., “Aylel.” A possible cognate in Arabic is “hilalun,” = “a new moon.” If this is derived from the root “halal” in Hebrew (“halla” in Arabic), which means “shine brightly,” (the Akkadian cognate “ellu” is an adjective meaning “bright”), then we may understand “Helel” as meaning the “shining One.” (p. 268) He further notes that Lucifer is taunted by being called “Shahar” meaning “Shining One.” (p. 269).[11]
Arabic is a close linguistic relative of Hebrew and often useful to glean original root meanings of ancient words. The Arabic word cognate, hilalun = new moon, may imply Yahveh’s mocking judgment of Satan. Yahveh describes Lucifer as “bright” and “shiny” but as “dawn” approaches his light wanes and eventually he will be extinguished. Others equate the passage to the star Venus which also has roots in pre-Islamic Arabian practices as demonstrated in previous chapters. The Islamic flag depicts the image of the crescent moon and a star.
The Jinn (Demons) Love the Qur’an
The Jinn are equated to demons, familiar spirits, or Satan in Qur’an suras and originated in pre-Islamic Arabia. These entities chose to follow the path of Islam and praise the Qur’an:
Say: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur’an). They said, “We have really heard a wonderful recital! It gives guidance to the right, and we have believed therein: . . . And as for us, since we have listened to the guidance, we have accepted it . . .” (Qur’an 72:1-2, 13).
Why would any Muslim worship the same god that demons worship? Should this not be a clue to get out while one is able? Is it worth one’s soul to bow side by side with demons to the Satanic moon-god Allah?
Standard Practice of Beheadings
One of the most glaring similarities between the Antichrist and the Mahdi involves the preferred method of killing. The apostle John writes:
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years (Rev. 20:4).
In addition, the Antichrist Empire will believe the following: “The time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” (Jn. 16:2).
Again, the entire history of Islam, since the seventh century, has incorporated mass beheadings as standard procedure. Muhammad himself took part in the beheadings of between six and nine hundred men of the Jewish tribe Banu Qurayza. Soon after this massacre he ordered the beheadings of another 400 Jews. Ibn Ishaq cites the event:
Abu Ubayda told me on the authority of Abu Amr, the Medinan, when the apostle got the better of the B. Qurayza he seized about four hundred men from the Jews who had been allies of Aus against Khazraj, and ordered that they should be beheaded.[12]
Muhammad set the pattern for Muslims to follow, “Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exampler” (Qur’an 33:21). Indeed, all the following generations of Caliphs and Islamic leaders continued Muhammad’s preferred method to kill by beheading. Even in the modern era of the 1980s, Afghan Jihad warriors beheaded an estimated 3000 soviet troops.[13] The Saudi Arabian government continues to decapitate anyone for criminal offenses of the kingdom such as witchcraft, apostasy, drug dealing, homosexuality, etc. Shoebat analyzes the phenomena:
No other world empire practiced beheading like Islam. The Roman Empire’s primary method of execution of non-citizens was crucifixion, while the Catholic Church was drowning or burning. Only Islam has such a long-standing historical tradition of beheading, even having specific commandments in its “holy book” to “strike off their necks” (Qur’an 47:4).[14]
One may recall incidents of al-Qaeda displaying disturbing video feeds of live beheadings. Once the Islamic Caliphate becomes official, under the leadership of the Mahdi, mass beheadings will commence worldwide, for all who refuse to receive his mark or bow to his image.
From Chapter 16 of Mecca, Muhammad & the Origins of Islam: A Candid Investigation Into the Origins of Islam.
[1] Shoebat, God’s War on Terror, 54. [2] Ibid., 56.
[3] Ibid., 53. [4] Ibid. [5] Ibid., 58
[6] Hughes, Dictionary of Islam, 39.
[7] Shoebat, God’s War on Terror, 93.
[8] Yoel Natan, Moon-O-Theism (n.p.: n.p., 2006), 29.
[9] John Joseph Owens, Analytical Key to the Old Testament, vol. 4, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989), 754.
[10] Francis Brown, S.R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs, The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (Peabody,MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 2010), 962.
[11] Kerry Shirts, Bible Changing the Word “Lucifer” to “Star” Proof that Masons Worship the Devil? [http://www.backyardprofessor.com/the_masonic_scholar/2010/03/bible-changing-the-word-lucifer-to-star-proof-that-masons-worship-the-devil.html] (accessed January, 2012).
[12] Guillaume, Life of Muhammad, 752.
[13] Joel Richardson, Antichrist: Islam’s Awaited Messiah (Enumclaw,WA: Pleasant Word – A Division of WinePress Publishing, 2006), 168.
[14] Shoebat, God’s War on Terror, 168.
JIHAD OF ANTICHRIST (THE MAHDI) by Brett Stortroen is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
