Chapter 4
Why the Radical Muslim Hatred?
The Arabs, Persians, and other peoples who hate the Israeli’s are descended from Esau and Ishmael. If their hatred has a longstanding history, and it does, and if their roots go back to Esau and Ishmael, and they do, then that is where we must begin our search.
When Hagar realized that she was pregnant with Abram’s child she became disrespectful to Sarai so Sarai began to mistreat her and she ran away. The Angel of the Lord found her.
9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” 10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” 11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her:
“Behold, you are with child,
And you shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has heard your affliction.
12 He shall be a wild man;
His hand shall be against every man,
And every man’s hand against him.
And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Gen. 17:13-27; The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982. (Emphasis mine).
The Lord knew the heart of Ishmael. That is why he chose Isaac even before birth. Notice carefully what the Lord said about Ishmael’s future behavior – which was carried down through his descendants.
He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, And every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” Gen. 16:12 NIV. (Emphasis mine).
Ishmael was, therefore, rejected by God in favor of Isaac, the son of promise. Israel is descended from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob and the blessings flowed to Israel through them. Esau was rejected in favor of Jacob for the same reason. Esau was, more concerned with his stomach than with doing the right thing. He revealed the condition of his heart when he traded his birthright for a bowl of stew.
So, Esau despised his birthright. Gen 25:34; ASV.
The Arab and other Middle East nations are descended from Ishmael and Esau and they have battled between themselves and with Israel for centuries. This has been especially true of the descendants of Esau.
The Arab’s hatred of the Jews is centuries old and is rooted deeply in religious differences. Both Jews and Muslims claim Abraham as their patriarch but while the Jews and Christians believe the promises of God made to Abraham were passed to Isaac, the son of promise, the Muslims believe they passed to Esau. They, therefore, believe that they are God’s elect and all others are infidels.
Many people assume that Islam is just another religion which, while employing different beliefs, lifestyles and rituals, is just another path of faith with a basic morality similar to Christianity and Judaism. They are wrong! Both Judaism and Christianity teach tolerance and conversion by persuasion. Islam, at its roots, was spread by violence. Mohammad, in his later years when he was unsuccessful in converting Jews and Christians, preached a message of "Convert to Islam or die!"
Early in Muhammad's career, he never mentioned jihad. This was certainly the case when he was living in Mecca. Scholars have suggested that the reason for this is that during those early years he lacked a strong following and lacked any military might whatsoever. Once in Medina, however, he was able to build a strong following and a strong military. Jihad suddenly became a topic of major Quranic revelation....Muhammad's movement eventually took on the character of religious militarism.... The spoils were divided among Muhammad's men, with Muhammad keeping one-fifth of everything. Northern Storm Rising, Ron Rhodes, Harvest House Publishers, 2008, p.26. (Emphasis mine).
While it is true that many Muslims are peaceful, Radical Islamists are following the example of Mohammad.
Such Muslims seek to emulate the behavior of Muhammad (Sura 33:21), for he often led Islamic forces into battle to make Islam dominant during his time. Northern Storm Rising, Ron Rhodes, Harvest House Publishers, 2008, p.27.
The Palestinian Liberation Organization has vowed that it will never allow a truce with Israel to stand, no matter what must be done to break it. The 1980's: Countdown to Armageddon Hal Lindsey, 1980, Westgate Press, Inc. p.61
Muslim resentment toward the Jews is based on "the principle of a non-Muslim state reemerging on a Muslim land. Following the logic of the Fatah and of jihad, any territory that was at some time 'opened' by a legitimate Islamic authority cannot revert to a non-Islamic authority." Northern Storm Rising, Ron Rhodes, Harvest House Publishers, 2008, p.81.
It is a matter of Arab racial pride to regain Palestine for Arab Palestinians. But is a matter of Islamic honor to once again control Jerusalem, Islam's third- holiest site. The 1980's: Countdown to Armageddon Hal Lindsey, 1980, Westgate Press, Inc. p. 64
Most of us have some understanding of what Christianity is; how it functions in our society and the world we live in. While we have a desire to positively influence the people around us and, if possible convert non-Christians, we do not attempt to force them to convert. Judaism is much the same. We welcome converts but are not militantly aggressive in seeking them.
Christianity attempts to influence politics through peaceful means. We attempt to influence voters to vote their conscience. Persuade legislators to vote favorably on legislation, etc. Judaism again takes much the same approach. Unfortunately, both Christians and Jews have aggressive splinter groups – cults - claiming to speak for them, who can get violent on issues important to them. Nevertheless, the main stream groups of both religions teach and practice peace except where absolutely necessary to resist evil in protection of the masses.
Christianity and Judaism attempt to influence devotees to; live uprightly, give generously, and obey the laws of men and God, but they are not without mercy for those who fail. They do not brutally beat women who are raped. Both Christianity and Judaism teach adherents to resist evil. Neither teaches adherents to strap on bombs and blow up peaceful civilians, even fellow believers, small children and babies to make a political statement.
It is very important to realize that Islam is not merely a religion. It is much more than that. I received that following Information by e-mail in Aug. 2010. It is from Peter Hammond’s book Slavery, Terrorism and Islam: The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat:
“Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In its fullest form, it is a complete 100% system of life. Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social and military components.”
Some espouse the theory that all Muslims are evil. I don’t believe that any more than I believe that all who call themselves Christians are what they claim to be. Nevertheless, I do believe Islam is a deceptive and evil system. In fact, after going through the Qur’an and doing fairly extensive esearch regarding radical Islamic beliefs I wrote the following article called, “Christianity’s Exact Opposite.”
Christianity's Exact Opposite
I would venture to say that if most Christians were asked what religion they believe is Christianity’s exact opposite they would probably say Satanism. I know that until fairly recently that would have been my answer. However, I have come to understand more about both satanic worship and militant Islam. I have come to realize radical militant Islamists, termed by some Islamo-facists or Islamic Nazis, are the true worshipers of Satan. This may sound, to some, like a very rash statement but I believe it is provable. This may make me sound as though I hate Muslims but I do not. I do hate idolatry, ignorance and deception – especially when it leads to acts of hatred, bigotry, and cruelty.
No other world religion, that I am aware of, has built its entire recruitment philosophy on deception and intimidation combined with terrorizing and murdering detractors. What other religion will deliberately murder their own fellow believers to slaughter some of their enemies? What other religion teaches redemption through murder and suicide or encourages its worshipers to sacrifice their women and children as suicide bombers?
Islam offers no assurance of salvation except through martyrdom in killing the enemies of Islam. Wallid Shabat.
I know of no other organized religion that claims the only certain way to paradise is through murder. Islam gives the promise that the martyr is transported immediately into the presence of Allah and there will be allowed to “intercede for seventy relatives.” Wallid Shabat.
Islam is opposed to the existence of Israel. Pertaining to Israel the Koran is very specific:
And there is not a town but We will destroy it before the day of resurrection or chastise it with severe chastisement; this is written in the Divine ordinance. 17:38
By 2003, Iran was offering some $50,000 to the families of Palestinian suicide bombers. Northern Storm Rising, Ron Rhodes, Harvest House Publishers, 2008, p.81.
Faisal Malick, a former Muslim who has converted to Christianity, writes in his book The Destiny of Islam in the Endtimes:
They believe that Abraham took Ishmael, not Isaac, to the altar to be sacrificed. In fact, they believe he was going to be sacrificed on the mount on which the Dome of the Rock is situated; but instead, a ram was caught in the thickets and used as the sacrifice.
-- in order to honor that event every year, they have animal sacrifices throughout the Muslim nations and Islamic Republics, including Pakistan. The particular ritual consists of dipping a ring in goat's blood for three days and praying Qur'anic verses over it. As long as a person wears the ring, that person will remain disease free. But as a result, the person makes a covenant with an entity that dominates their soul. They trade their soul for something else. The Destiny of Islam in the Endtimes, Faisal Malick, Destiny Image Publishers, Inc. Shippensburg, PA., 2007 p.43-44
Muslims have always directed their wealth toward their religious beliefs -- the expansion of Islam through the building of mosques and so on. The Destiny of Islam in the Endtimes Faisal Malick, 2007, Destiny Image Publishing House,Inc.,Shippensburg, PA., p.223.
Among the Muslim people, as we have discussed, are those who have embraced the spirit of Esau in the face of terrorism, and they are funding terrorism with their accumulated wealth. Billions of dollars go into terrorism, weapons, and training -- and to families of suicide bombers in recognition of their deeds. The Destiny of Islam in the Endtimes Faisal Malick, 2007, Destiny Image Publishing House,Inc.,Shippensburg, PA., p.223.
So there is no misunderstanding of my position in this matter, I do not believe all Muslims are evil nor do I think they are beyond redemption. I do believe the Islamic religion is deceptive and misleads people into thinking they are serving God when they are not. I also believe that donations of well-intentioned individuals are often misdirected into activities the donors would never intentionally support.
Of course, it is true that other religions also do that. Radical Islamists, however, are the only religious group that I am aware of today that that teaches that it is permissible to; lie to promote their goals, send little children into minefields as living minesweepers the way Iran did in the Iran/Iraq war, or encourage its young men and women to strap bombs to their chests then get on a loaded bus or walk into a crowded restaurant and blow themselves into eternity while praising their god!
What does this all have to do with Jesus prophecies about His return or the Biblical prophecies concerning the end of days?
Let’s look at some facts regarding the Middle East:
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