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(February 22, 2010)  Is Islam going to be the one-world religion spoken of in End-Times prophecy? Is the Mahdi or Guided One (an Islamic messianic figure) the Antichrist? Is the Mark of the Beast a badge of submission to Allah? Is Jesus Christ returning to earth to wage war against the Islamic nations who treated the Jews harshly? Walid Shoebat thinks so.

Does this image contain the Mark of the Beast to be placed on the arms and heads of the Antichrist's followers?

Walid Shoebat declares that most prophecy students are incorrect in their interpretation of many End-Times prophecies. He believes that Western cultural influences have led to a misunderstanding of the Eastern culturally written Bible. He says that he is a former Muslim terrorist born in Bethlehem who converted to Christianity after reading the Bible in order to convince his Christian wife that her beliefs were in error. He also states that he lived in Jericho during the 1967 Six Day War. He wrote a unique and quite illuminating book on End-Times prophecy titled God’s War on Terror: Islam, Prophecy and the Bible. I have read this book and I believe it makes many compelling points. The following article is a synopsis of his book and quotes extensively from it. I would recommend any student of biblical prophecy read it for themselves. I will put the relevant page numbers from his book in parentheses throughout the article.
Also, when I quote directly from Mr. Shoebat’s book I will enclose the quote in black quotation marks using an italicized font. Inside the quotation marks all emphasis, spelling, brackets, parentheses, grammar, and punctuation will be reproduced exactly as it is printed in his book. I will not make any comments or notations inside of his quotation marks. The only exception to this is that quotations he uses from the Bible will be in red.

Eastern perspective on prophecy

Mr. Shoebat states that his upbringing in the Middle East and Israel in particular as a former Muslim gives him a different insight into understanding the Bible than his Western counterparts (p.23). He rejects the idea that Islam is a peaceful religion and believes that Western commentators are ignorant and politically correct on this subject. Islam creates Fatwas (legal rulings) against its critics, threatens global stability, infiltrates the West using its oil wealth, and attempts to change laws of non-Islamic countries. He points out that Islam persecutes Christians and Jews and is dominant in lands formerly part of every Biblical empire: Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Grecian, and much of the Roman Empire (p.26). He asked the following question to a gathering of prophecy authors, “Besides the argument of whether Magog is Russia or not, can you name any literal references in the Bible to a nation that God destroys in the end-times that is not Muslim?” He states that no one has given him a valid response to this question. It is because every biblical portrayal of Christ’s return shows Him fighting against a nation that is currently Muslim. How have Western analysts missed this? As he read the Bible he became increasingly aware of this fact and gave some examples such as God pouring out His wrath on Teman (Arabia), Cushan (Sudan), and Midian (Somalia) in Habakkuk ch. 3 and on Egypt with its idols in Isaiah ch. 19. Mr. Shoebat declares that when He read Isaiah 10:33-34 in 1993 he knew that Hezbollah would take over Lebanon. From his Muslim upbringing he knew that Allah would never come down to earth and that Allah hated the Jews. However, when he read the Bible he realized Jesus would return to earth and fight for His Jewish people and the Temple Mount: “so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.” (Isaiah 31:4). Jesus will return to earth to judge nations specifically on how they treated the Jewish people, “I will enter into judgment with them there, on account of My people and My heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations, and have divided up My land.” (Joel 3:2). This led him to the conclusion that this is what Hamas and the Palestinian Authority were doing in Israel today. As he read through the Bible Mr. Shoebat could see God’s plan unfolding through the religion of Islam while the West kept ignoring the dangers of Islam (p.29-32).

Mr. Shoebat critiques Islam

Before laying out his belief that God will war against Islam in the End-Times, he writes concerning Islam and Muslims in the first section of his book. He gives an example by quoting Joel 3:4, “Now what have you against me, O Tyre and Sidon [Lebanon] and all you regions of Philistia [Gaza]? Are you repaying me for something I have done? If you are paying Me back, I will swiftly and speedily return on your own heads what you have done.” He says it is as though “Jesus himself is speaking directly to Hezbollah and Hamas”. “Their fight against Israel is in reality a declaration of war on the King himself.” (p.32)

Mr. Shoebat says that as a Muslim he “wanted to destroy Christianity, America and every Jew”. However, it was through reading his enemies’ book, the Bible, which saved him. It was not “land concessions for peace, tolerance, interfaith dialogues, better jobs, secularism, or education”. He couldn’t understand why Jehovah defended Israel in the Bible or why everything “Allah loved, Jehovah hated, and whatever Jehovah loved, Allah hated.” What disturbed him most was that Israel always won. He makes the point that Muslims have an unhealthy fear of Allah because of the threats they read throughout the Qur’an and that even the terrorists are terrorized by the Qur’an! (p.37)

He states that Satan is intent on destroying Israel and thereby preventing Jesus’ Messianic Kingdom from occurring. He refers to Allah as “Satan in disguise” and that the Devil uses bits of prophecy for his own agenda. He gives an example from Revelation 16:9, “And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory.” How could people experience this scorching heat and still blaspheme God? Most Western commentators think that it is because of mans’ stubbornness and rebelliousness. That is true but it is mainly that “these peoples will be clinging to the satanic Allah, thinking that he is God and begging him for mercy, when instead they should be begging Jehovah, the One True and only God.” Reasoning further, he says that Muslims continue to be defeated by the little nation of Israel yet they keep pleading even harder to Allah rather than praying to Jehovah and asking for forgiveness. He states that Islam is a “barrel of contradictions” and that many Muslims will deny the Holocaust while seeking a new holocaust against the Jews. (p.41-42)

Mr. Shoebat points out that Muslims are ignorant to the fact that their Jihad eschatology fulfills Biblical prophecy and that Christians too are ignorant because they don’t see Islam’s role in these same prophecies. Not only does he reject the Muslim belief that Jews and Christians corrupted the Bible but it is the Muslims themselves who have corrupted it. They took portions of the Bible and created their own Bible, the Qur’an, and claim it is the final Word of God. “Like their god, the accuser, the corruptors accuse the virtuous of corruption, the murderers accuse the innocent of murder, the haters accuse the righteous of hate, the warmongers accuse the peaceful of war, the lovers of death accuse those who love life of cowardice, while cowards who promote instant death are given the title of the brave. Murderers are martyrs, their funerals are weddings, and their victims are criminals unworthy of even a funeral. Their heaven is debauchery and their earth is a hell devoid of even the most innocent music or wedding dance. Everything is turned upside down.“ (p.44)

The Mahdi, Islamic writings, and the Muslim Jesus

In the next section of his book Mr. Shoebat compares biblical prophecies concerning the Antichrist with Islamic writings about the Mahdi who is to come and set up a Caliphate (a governing Islamic political entity). He begins by saying, “You can’t imagine how I felt when I read the Bible and found so much that describes the Mahdi who I had learned so much about growing up. The shock to me was that, while a character identical to my Mahdi was seen throughout the pages of the Bible, this character was not called “the Mahdi”, but rather “the Antichrist.” Were the prophets of the Bible Islamaphobes? After all, the Mahdi to us Sunni Muslims was “The rightly-guided and awaited One.” Shi’a Muslims refer to him as Sahib Al-Zaman “The Lord of the Age.” This is exactly what the Bible calls Satan: “The lord of the age” (II Corinthians 4:4).” Then laying a foundation for the comparisons he is about to make he explains Islamic writings: “Briefly, the Hadith or Sunna are the records of both the words and the deeds of the “prophet” Mohammed. In other words, the Qur’an is “thus says Allah” and the hadiths are “thus says Mohammed.” He then defines a Caliph as the “supreme political, military, and administrative leader of all Muslims worldwide.” He declares there is an effort in the Muslim world 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.” Lastly, Mr. Shoebat talks about the Muslim Jesus. He calls him the “second most important Muslim end-time character” who name is Isa-Almaseeh or the Muslim Jesus. He states that the Jesus of Islam is different from the historical and biblical Jesus. The Muslim Jesus is merely a prophet sent by Allah and is not a savior/redeemer. Nor will he restore the land of Israel to the Jews. He won’t save his followers from the ongoing persecution of the Antichrist. “In Islam, Jesus comes back as a radical Muslim to lead the Muslim armies, to abolish Christianity and to slaughter the Jews.” (p.52-54)

The Mahdi vs. the Antichrist

Mr. Shoebat makes forty-three comparisons between the Mahdi and the Antichrist. In this section of his book he uses the formulaic chapter headings “Both …” I will highlight a few of them:

Both Kingdoms Suffer a “Head Wound”

• Revelation 13:2-3 says the beast suffers a head wound. Mr. Shoebat says the beast or the Antichrist’s empire ended with the Ottoman Empire’s demise and the end of the Caliphate on March 3, 1924. He likens the end of the Caliphate with the feeling Catholics would experience if the office of the pope was abolished. Today however, Muslims worldwide are calling for the reinstitution of the Caliphate. The Mahdi will answer their call. (p.81-82)

Both Work False Miracles

• II Thessalonians 2:8-9 says the Antichrist will be in accord with Satan working false wonders and miracles. Mr. Shoebat says the Mahdi will also perform false miracles, “Islamic tradition even confirms this: “Allah will give him power over the wind and the rain, and the earth will bring forth its foliage. He will give away wealth profusely, flocks will be in abundance, and the Ummah [Empire of Islam] will be large and honored…” (p.83)

Both Ride A White Horse

• In Revelation 19:11 Jesus rides a white horse at His second coming. Revelation 6:1-2 speaks of a different rider on a white horse who goes out to conquer and famines, plagues, death, persecution, martyrdom of God’s people, a great earthquake, and the wrath of God follow after him. Mr. Shoebat says that an early transcription of the prophet Mohammed’s Hadith confirms that the Imam Mahdi is the rider on the white horse in Revelation chapter 6. He quotes Egyptian authors who wrote, “It is clear that this man is the Mahdi who will ride the white horse and judge by the Qur’an (with justice) and with whom will be men with marks of prostration on their foreheads. Mr. Shoebat concludes, “Our Antichrist is their Messiah–Muslim scholars open the Bible, read about the Antichrist, and see their Savior. This must be quite ironic, if not entirely prophetic. Now you are beginning to see what I was faced with when I began to study the Bible, the True Word of the Almighty God.“ (p.84)

Both Attempt to Change The Law

• Daniel 7:25 declares, “He [Antichrist] will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws.” Mr. Shoebat says the Antichrist will try to change the times or accepted world calendar and legal systems and constitutions. “He will attempt to invoke Islam’s evil laws worldwide to replace every other law and constitution.” He states that the Mahdi will institute Shari’a Law as much as he can. However, he says that like Nimrod’s unsuccessful attempt to set up a global government with the Tower of Babel, so too God will not allow the Antichrist/Mahdi to set up a one-world government. He believes that Western prophecy students misunderstand when it comes to the Antichrist setting up a global government. Only Jesus Christ will rule over the world when He sets up His kingdom in Jerusalem. As far as changing the calendar he points out that where Islam rules, the Islamic calendar based on Mohammed’s conquest of Medina in Saudi Arabia is in effect. According to him, Isa, the Muslim Jesus, will be in charge of overseeing the changing of the times and laws.

Both Practice Beheadings

• Revelation 20:4 says, “And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.” Mr. Shoebat relates the long history of Islamic beheadings beginning with Mohammed’s sanctioning of the decapitation of one of his enemies. He also tells of the hundreds of beheadings for crimes, alleged or true, that take place in modern Islamic countries. (p.162-165)

Both Occupy The Temple Mount

• Matthew 24:15 says, “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand.” II Thessalonians 2:4 says, “He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” Mr. Shoebat quotes from an Ayatollah’s book on the Imam Mahdi, “Armies carrying black flags will come from Khurasan. No power will be able to stop them and they will finally reach Eela (Baitul Maqdas in Jerusalem) where they will erect their flags.” He says Baitul Maqdas means the holy house and refers to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. He asks could placing flags with the slogan “There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is his Messenger” in the Temple be the Abomination of Desolation? Or possibly that a Black Stone image be set on the Holy of Holies? He quotes other Islamic authors who state that the Mahdi will rule from Jerusalem in a rightly-guided caliphate. (p.174)

Both Enjoy Desecrating Bodies

• Revelation 11 tells of God’s Two Witnesses who will preach in Jerusalem during the reign of the Antichrist. He will be unable to harm them until their ministry is finished. Revelation 11:7-12 declares,“7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days men from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth. 11 Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them.” Mr. Shoebat gives examples such as the Somalian people dragging dead soldiers through the streets and charred bodies of Americans hung in Iraq. The purpose is to shame the dead and deter others from committing similar acts. He says it is also a “sick celebration of victory”. As far as the gift-giving in Revelation 11, He points out the celebrations that occurred after the September 11, 2001 attack in America. There was dancing in the streets in Arab countries and children were given candy in Palestine.

Jesus Christ will return to wage war against the Muslims

At the beginning of his book Walid Shoebat declares “In every portrayal of Christ’s return to the earth, He is fighting a nation that today is Muslim.” (p.30) In part three of the book he lays out the scriptural evidence for this assertion. He quotes Habbakuk 3:3-4 to illustrate that Jesus comes in person and is found returning from fighting in the land of Teman in Arabia: “3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. 4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.” He then begins his presentation with a messianic prophecy: “17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel. He will crush the foreheads of Moab, the skulls of all the sons of Sheth. 18 Edom will be conquered; Seir, his enemy, will be conquered, but Israel will grow strong. 19 A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.” (Numbers 24:17-19) He notes that when Jesus returns He will take His scepter and destroy the countries listed here which today comprise the area from Yemen to Arabia. He then writes about the various Muslim countries that Jesus will inflict His vengeance on when He returns. (p.185-187)

Saudi Arabia and Yemen

Mr. Shoebat quotes what he calls “a most amazing prophecy, Isaiah 63:1-4, “1 Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save. 2 Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress? I have trodden the winepress alone; from the nations no one was with me. I trampled them in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come.” He relates Ezekiel 25:12-13 to this passage in Isaiah, “12 Thus says the Lord GOD; Because that Edom hath dealt against the house of Judah by taking vengeance, and hath greatly offended, and revenged himself upon them; 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD; I will also stretch out mine hand upon Edom, and will cut off man and beast from it; and I will make it desolate from Teman; and they of Dedan shall fall by the sword.” Teman is Yemen and Dedan is an ancient city in Saudi Arabia. Jesus will destroy the area from the Red Sea into central Arabia. (p.187-188)

Egypt and Lebanon

“See, Jehovah rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt within them.” (Isaiah 19:1) Isaiah 11:14-15 declares, “14 But they shall fly down upon the shoulder of the Philistines toward the west; Together they shall plunder the people of the East; They shall lay their hand on Edom and Moab; And the people of Ammon shall obey them. 15 The LORD will utterly destroy the tongue of the Sea of Egypt; With His mighty wind He will shake His fist over the River, And strike it in the seven streams.” Mr. Shoebat states that the Nile River empties into the Mediterranean Sea by seven streams. These passages indicate that Egypt will be largely destroyed. Isaiah 10:34 states, “Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One”. He says though some may say “The Mighty One” is God the Father in heaven and not the Messiah on earth, Isaiah 19:20 is clearly speaking of the Messiah, “He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them.” He declares this judgment against Lebanon is also a judgment against the Antichrist, “O My people, who dwell in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrian. He shall strike you with a rod and lift up his staff against you, in the manner of Egypt. 25 For yet a very little while and the indignation will cease, as will My anger in their destruction.” (Isaiah 10:24-25) The Antichrist will be responsible for the destruction of Lebanon, “For the violence done to Lebanon will cover you, And the plunder of beasts which made them afraid, Because of men’s blood And the violence of the land and the city, And of all who dwell in it.” (Habakkuk 2:17} Mr. Shoebat states that “God will punish Islam for what they have done in Lebanon with rape and pillage of Christians in that nation.” (p.188-189)

Why did the West miss this?

How come Western prophecy commentators did not see Islam’s primary role in the End-Times prophetic passages of the Bible? Mr. Shoebat believes it is because most discussion amongst prophecy students focuses on the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel. While important, he says that rather than starting with interpreting the visions and imagery of these two books, why not examine the rest of the Bible passages where End-Times prophecy is clear and straightforward. In the next part of his book he does just that.

The Battle for Jerusalem and the Rapture

“1 Blow the trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble; For the day of the LORD is coming, For it is at hand: 2 A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness, Like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. A people come, great and strong, The like of whom has never been; Nor will there ever be any such after them, Even for many successive generations. 3 A fire devours before them, And behind them a flame burns; The land is like the Garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness; Surely nothing shall escape them.” (Joel 2:1-3) Who is this army that devours the land? Mr. Shoebat declares that it is the army of the followers of Jesus Christ who have been Raptured. Concerning the snatching away of the saints he states, “Whether the Rapture takes the believers before the seven years, then prepares them to come down for this battle later, or in the Middle; or we are caught up at the tail end to instantly participate in this, the timing is of no concern to Easterners; I predict that Westerners will wrestle with this issue and with each other until “The Kingdom comes.” To further his point he quotes Psalm 50:3, “A fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous all around Him”; Daniel 7:10, “A fiery stream issued and came before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him”; Isaiah 12:6, “Cry out and shout, O inhabitant of Zion, For great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst!”; and Isaiah 13:3-4, “I have also called My mighty ones for My anger–Those who rejoice in My exaltation. The LORD of hosts musters the army for battle.” He states the “mighty ones” must be the glorified bodies of the saints and they are His army. He quotes Joel 2:11, “The LORD gives voice before His army” and declares this verse covers the Rapture and the War: “Western Christians cannot get a grip over this issue–they will be fighting a war against an Islamic invasion–the battle for Jerusalem.” Concerning Jerusalem and Israel, “…there is a land already in the Tribulation.” He makes it clear that it is not yet the Great Tribulation though. Concerning the West’s squabbling over the timing of the Rapture, “When Muslim Fundamentalists take over a Christian society and begin to behead, they never ask what Rapture position any of their victims hold, neither do they ask their denomination. In the case of Islam we all need to unite.” (p.192-199)

Old Testament prophecies concerning Jesus’ future war against Islam

I am not going to list the various points Walid Shoebat makes in the next part of his book. He begins by illustrating that Isaiah ch. 9 and 14 along with Ezekiel ch. 28 allude to the Antichrist and his connection with Satan. He points out that chapters 13-30 in the Book of Isaiah reference the Muslim nations that God is going to judge. He states that chapters 28-32 in the Book of Ezekiel speak of the Islamic nations that will be cast into Hell. Lastly, he quotes the Psalms, ch. 2, 74, 75, 79-83, 87, and 120 that tell of Jesus Christ fighting against an alliance of these same nations of Islam. (p.226-249)

Rosh, Gog, Magog, Armageddon in Ezekiel 38-39

Western prophecy commentators believe that Rosh, Gog, and Magog in Ezekiel 38:1-9 refers to modern-day Russia. They also think that the alliance of nations that invade Israel in ch. 39 of Ezekiel refers to a battle which occurs before the battle of Armageddon mentioned in ch. 16 and 19 of the Book of Revelation. Mr. Shoebat disputes both of these interpretations. He says the word “Rosh” means head or chief and is etymologically unrelated to the modern word Russia. “So even if Rosh is interpreted as a proper noun, it could point to the Ukraine, Chechnya, or Georgia and possibly even Iran.” All of these countries today are Islamic nations. He quotes Ezekiel 38:2, “the land of Magog, chief prince (head or leader of) of Mesheck and Tubal” and declares that since Meshech and Tubal are regions of Turkey then Magog must also be related to Turkey. Thus Gog is a leader from the region of Turkey. “The error of the Russian theory arose from the Scofield Study Bible, which identifies Mesheck and Tubal with the modern cities of Moscow and Tobolsk. The only basis for this interpretation is the somewhat similar sound of the two words.” (p.250-266)

The battle of Gog in Ezekiel 38 is the same as the battle of Armageddon in the Book of Revelation. Mr. Shoebat says that the description of Israel as pure is the same description of Israel after the battle of Armageddon: “Then they will know that I am the LORD. Son of man, prophesy against Gog and say: This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal…I will make known My holy name among My people Israel. I will no longer let My holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the LORD am the Holy One in Israel.” (Ezekiel 38:23-39:1;39:7) Also after this war the Gentile nations will then know God: “And thou [Gog] shall come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land; it shall be in the latter days, and I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” (Ezekiel 38:16) He asks, “How could these be “heathen?” All these nations in Ezekiel 38 are Muslim nations. Why would the Bible call people who claim to believe in Abraham and Jesus as heathen? To me this is one dilemma I had when I read the text as a Muslim, I realized I must be on the wrong side. Worshipping Allah according to the Bible cannot be the same as worshipping Jehovah.” He also notes that Jesus Christ is present in both the battle of Gog and Armageddon: “And all the men that are upon the face of the earth shall shake at my presence” (Ezekiel 38:20) and “And the heathen shall know that I am Jehovah, the Holy One in Israel.” (Ezekiel 39:7) Here Jesus is in Israel while other passages refer to the Holy One of Israel. “The “in” is crucial. It’s like DNA evidence in a court of law. No serious Bible student can doubt the fact that this event is anything other than the Messiah fighting the Antichrist.” He also points out another parallel between Gog of Ezekiel and the Antichrist at Armageddon in Revelation: “Son of man, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Call out to every kind of bird and all the wild animals: Assemble and come together from all around to the sacrifice I am preparing for you, the great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel. There you will eat flesh and drink blood. 18 You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth… At my table you will eat your fill of horses and riders, mighty men and soldiers of every kind, declares Jehovah the Sovereign.” (Ezekiel 39:17-20) “17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, “Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great.” (Revelation 19:17-18) He concludes this section by making other comparisons between the descriptions of the destructions and plagues which occur at both battles. (p.267-274)

Western Misconceptions

Mr. Shoebat discusses how the West has tried to insert Europe and the rest of the world into End-Times prophecy when there is no biblical basis for doing so.

Prophecy in Middle Eastern context

Every nation will not be utterly dominated by the Antichrist. Phrases such as “all the nations of the earth” in Zechariah 12:1-3 and “will gather all nations to Jerusalem to fight against it” in Zechariah 14 refer to the Islamic nations surrounding Israel. He states that “using hyperbole is extremely common in eastern culture.” There are many times the Bible uses all-inclusive phrases when it was impossible that they pertained to countries in the Pacific and elsewhere. Thus the battle of Armageddon will occur between Jesus and His army and the Muslim armies. Tarshish and Cush of Ezekiel 38 probably refer to Turkey and Sudan respectively, not Europe and modern Ethiopia. The kings of the east of Revelation 16 could refer to the former nations of Babylonia and Persia and not China. The wise men who came from the east are believed to have originated in these regions. Mr. Shoebat declares that Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Indonesia could field a 200 million soldier army. He relates that reformer Martin Luther and Sir Isaac Newton concluded that Muslim warriors from the previous fourteen centuries were a fulfillment of this prophecy as they conquered formerly Christian nations. (p.282-287)

Unlocking prophecy symbolism

• Mountains – Eastern symbolism has a different meaning than the ones the West ascribes to them. Mountains refer to kingdoms or governments such as the one describing Jesus’ future reign over the world: “And it shall come to pass in the Last-Days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains.” (Isaiah 2:2-4) Many westerners are waiting for the Catholic Church to rise to world power because Rome sits on the seven hills (mountains) of prophecy. Mr. Shoebat quotes Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as using his eastern understanding when he declared in a speech, “Do not doubt, Allah will prevail, and Islam will conquer mountain tops of the entire world.” God speaks against the Babylonian Empire in Jeremiah 51:25, “Behold, I am against thee, O destroying mountain, saith the LORD, which destroyest all the earth: and I will stretch out mine hand upon thee, and roll thee down from the rocks, and will make thee a burnt mountain.” Jesus refers to governments and kingdoms as opposed to literal mountains, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20)

• Waters – Waters are mixed ethnic groups. Revelation 17:15 illustrates this, “The waters which thou saw, where the whore sits, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.” He quotes Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire (war), you shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you.” Mr. Shoebat interprets this as saying when the Israelites pass through the waters or face the people against you, you will prevail.

• A Head is a Kingdom – Revelation 17:9-10 states, “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings.” Mr. Shoebat states, “A kingdom is obviously ruled by a king: “They are also seven kings.” One cannot have a kingdom without a king. “One of the heads of the beast seemed to have had a fatal wound, but the fatal wound had been healed,” (Revelation 13:3). One of the kingdoms is destroyed but come back to life. One cannot isolate the kingdom from the king. The death of the head is the ending of the kingdom.”

• Woman is a spiritual entity with a literal kingdom and capital – “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17) “This is the kingdom of Israel with its capital, Jerusalem.” A harlot represents a false religion.

• Beasts are Empires led by kings – Mr. Shoebat says that many consider the beast of Revelation to be a man but that scripture doesn’t necessarily refer to a single entity as a single being. The wife of Jesus Christ refers to the entire church. Just as the bride represents many nations so too the beast represents a nation or an empire. He says that every mention of a beast in Daniel ch.7 refers to an empire and horns to kings or rulers. Accordingly, a beast always represents a group of people who follow a false religion and a false ruler or horn. He states that when the beast and false prophet are taken it means that the empire and its leader are removed. Therefore, Muslims are waiting for the Mahdi to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor Mohammed and thus “we see the beast of Revelation 13:3 waiting and determined to follow the previous beast whose “deadly wound was healed.”

• A Name is a Declaration of Faith – A Creed – Emanuel means God with us and Isaiah ch. 9 gives the attributes of the Messiah. “No one accepts the names of the true God except the ones who believe in his attributes–that Messiah is Almighty God and the God with us.” “Names in the east always regard the creed, attributes, descriptions and the titles of the person they signify. Therefore, the name of the beast in Revelation 13 puts in God’s place someone other than His Son. The harlot of Revelation has names or creeds of blasphemy on her forehead as do the followers of Antichrist. Muslims today have a creed of blasphemy on their foreheads and hands.

• Fish are followers – Jesus refers to potential followers to be drawn out of the waters of nations.

• A Stone or Rock is the Messiah – Daniel 2 refers to the stone or Messiah striking the feet made of iron and clay on the symbolic statue. Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone which the builders rejected.

• Trees and Birds are fallen angels – “3 Behold, the Assyrian was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. 4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.” (Ezekiel 31:3-4) Mr. Shoebat declares that the Assyrian is Satan and that nations made him great and they streamed to worship him and be ambassadors for him.

• Stars are angels – In Revelation 12 the dragon of Satan takes a third of the angels with him.

• Dragon is Satan – “And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called “the Devil, and Satan, which deceives the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” (Revelation 12:9) “I am against thee, Pharaoh king of Egypt, the great dragon that lieth in the midst of his rivers.” (Ezekiel 29:3) These verses refer to Satan dwelling in the Antichrist. (p.288-295)

Unlocking Prophetic Allegories

Revelation 17

“9 This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.” (Revelation 17:9-11) Mr. Shoebat says that Westerners are misguided in ascribing the seven hills to the seven hills on which the city of Rome sits. This prophecy does not relate to the Vatican or Catholicism. The seven hills or literally mountains refer to seven empires. There will be an eighth empire over which the Antichrist will rule. There have been seven “Beast” empires so far; five before John wrote the Book of Revelation: Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Greek. The sixth was the Roman Empire during which John lived or as the angel said, “one is”. The seventh Empire will be fatally wounded and then resurrected under the reign of the Antichrist. If the seventh empire is the revived Roman Empire (meaning Euro-centric in Western interpretations) then that means that the sixth, seventh, and eighth empires are going to be Roman. Not only does that seem illogical but all the previous empires were Middle Eastern-centric and included Jerusalem in their domain. Also, each of the first five empires was defeated by the succeeding empire. Mr. Shoebat asks who took control from the Roman Empire. (p.299-308)

Jerusalem fell to Islam in 637 A.D. This was the beginning of the Islamic Empire which culminated with the Ottoman Empire and lasted thirteen centuries before its fall in 1924. Thus, the seventh empire was Islamic and according to Mr. Shoebat will be revived under the Mahdi/Antichrist and fulfill the prophetic eighth empire. He points out that the Turkish Ottoman Empire falls in line with Ezekiel’s prophecies that focus on the role of Turkey in the last days. (p.309-315)

Daniel 2 and 7

Mr. Shoebat continues the allegorical interpretations from the Book of Daniel which include Nebuchadnezzar’s dream statue, the “Empires” beasts, and the leaders/horns visions. I will not go into detail but he concludes that all these visions point to a Muslim Antichrist ruling over the fourth and final world empire, the Islamic Empire. He does agree with his Western counterparts that the Antichrist will make a peace treaty, rebuild the Jewish Temple and fight wars in and around is Israel during the end times. (p.319-346)

Daniel 9

“Know therefore and understand, That from the going forth of the command To restore and build Jerusalem Until Messiah the Prince, There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; And the people of the prince who is to come Shall destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end of it shall be with a flood, And till the end of the war desolations are determined. 27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate.” (Daniel 9:25-27) This is one of the major prophetic passages that Westerners use to declare that the Antichrist will come out of a revived Roman Empire which would encompass Europe. This prophecy has two fulfillments. Jesus fulfilled the first sixty nine weeks of the prophecy with His first coming. The seventieth week is yet to occur although a type of it was fulfilled in 70 A.D. when the Roman General Titus and his armies destroyed the Jewish Temple after besieging Jerusalem. Since it was a Roman army Westerners believe that the Antichrist will lead a European alliance of armies in an invasion of Israel and enter into the Third Jewish Temple to declare himself God. Mr. Shoebat states that the prince in this prophecy cannot be the Roman General Titus since he did not confirm a peace covenant for seven years? Nor did he set up an abomination of desolation in the Temple. Therefore the title prince refers to the future Antichrist. He also points out that the makeup of the Roman army which destroyed Jerusalem consisted of primarily Middle Eastern soldiers: Arabians, Syrians and Turks. He quotes First Century historians who confirm that this army was drawn from the indigenous people of that region. Thus, a Muslim Antichrist will lead Muslim armies in the future invasion of Israel. (p.347-354)

Unlocking the Mark of the Beast

“16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.” (Revelation 13:16-18) From an Eastern perspective, Mr. Shoebat believes his theory on the mark of the beast is more plausible than Western ideas such as a microchip implant or some kind of UPC code tattoo.

The Name of the Beast

In the Bible names can refer to a person’s nature, character, and mission. Jesus is prophetically called Immanuel (which means God with us) or King of kings or Word of God yet His name was Jesus or Yeshua in Hebrew. Likewise, the name of the beast or Antichrist is not the literal name of a political figure. Rather, it is a creed or declaration of faith about the nature, character, or mission of the Antichrist. Revelation 13:1 states, “And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy.” This verse declares that the name of the beast or Antichrist is “blasphemy”. Mr. Shoebat defines the biblical meaning of this term: “Blasphemy is an anti-Yahweh or anti-Christ word or deed–to claim the attributes of God, claim to be Messiah, deny the Holy Spirit, deny the trinity, the cross, or even denying God’s edicts and declarations–all are blasphemy. Satan blasphemed when he said, “I will be like the Most High,” (Is. 14:14). Satan has always desired to be like God.” Thus the name of the beast or Antichrist will contain a credal aspect to it that will be anti-Yahweh and anti-Christ and will exalt another one over God.

The Shahadatan is the Islamic creed which declares, “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is The One sent by Allah [The Messenger of Allah].” This creed alone fulfills the blasphemy requirements by stating there is another God other than Jehovah and that Muhammad supercedes the place of Jesus the Messiah. Mr. Shoebat says, “the Mark, the Name, the Number, and the Image of the Beast–are indicators of allegiance and submission to Beast [sic].” “In the simplest of terms, the Mark of the Beast is essentially the emblem, the symbol, or the identifying mark of the coming Beast kingdom. By donning this mark, people will identify with the Kingdom of the Beast and the values and beliefs that this kingdom represents.” (p.363-366)

The Number of the Beast

“Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” (Revelation 13:18) A common interpretation of the number 666 usually involves Gematria, “a mystical form of numerology that assigns a numerical value to each letter from any given name. After the sum total of all of the letters is added up, the final result is the number of that individual’s name.” One major problem with this method of interpretation is which alphabet does one use in determining the name of the Antichrist? The biblical Hebrew, the biblical Greek, Latin, English? Mr. Shoebat states that if there is a Gematria interpretation for the number 666 it must correlate with the Name of the Beast which is the anti-Yahweh and anti-Christ creed of blasphemy.

After examining the Codex Vaticanus Greek Text of Revelation, Mr. Shoebat says that he noticed the Greek letters Chi, Xi, Stigma, which formed the 666 of Revelation 13:18, resembled “the most common creed of Islam Bismillah (or Basmalah), written in Arabic. Bismillah literally means “In the Name of Allah,” and is followed by the symbol of crossed swords, which is used universally throughout the Muslim world to signify Islam.” He says that only the first two words Bismi (Name of) and llah (Allah) are necessary to constitute the Basmalah. The similarities between the two sets of letters/words led him to the conclusion that it was possible that John, to whom God revealed the visions of Revelation, saw the Arabic writing and recorded them with their Greek letter counterparts. This would fulfill the requirement that the number 666 also depict the Name of Blasphemy or as he pointed out, the Name of Allah. [Note: Others have stated that Codex Vaticanus does not contain an original copy of the Book of Revelation but that Mr. Shoebat may have looked at some other ancient manuscript] (p.367-374)

The Mark of the Beast

The Greek word charagma translated as mark in Revelation 13:16-18 means “a stamp, an imprinted mark”. Mr. Shoebat says that in John’s time charagma was reserved for slaves in what was called “a badge of servitude”. He states Muslims are called slaves of Allah and wear headbands and badges with Islamic mottos, creeds, words, and symbols written on them. These express their subservience and allegiance to Allah and his prophet Muhammad. He relates that when he read these passages in Revelation chapter 13 about a mark on the forehead and hand, he noticed they mirrored the Muslims custom of putting badges on their foreheads and arms. They do this in response to a Qur’anic verse, “And when the word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth a beast of the earth to speak unto them because mankind had not faith in Our revelations.” In the Bible the Beast is evil but in the Qur’an the Beast has a “holy mission to revive Islam and mark the foreheads of all true Muslim believers.” (p.375-379)

The Image of the Beast

“14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.” (Revelation 13:14-15) Some Westerners thinks this means that there will be an animated statue of the Antichrist. Mr. Shoebat gives some possible biblical definitions for the image of Revelation 13. Judaism had a Temple with many articles placed inside such as the Ark of the Covenant and the Menorah: “For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or an image.” (Hosea 3:4) Islam too has a Temple for Allah (the Ka’ba) along with Temple articles (the Black Stone). Just as the Jewish Temple articles foreshadowed the coming of God’s Messiah so too Islam’s Temple foreshadows the coming of Satan’s Antichrist. The image could be a national emblem such as a flag of the revived Islamic Empire and caliphate. It could be an idol such as the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar or the meteorite that Paul said was located in the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus or the Black Stone Ka’ba in Mecca. Indeed, the image might be a likeness of the Antichrist.

Muslims believe and teach that when the Islamic Jesus returns he will abolish Christianity and Judaism. He will destroy all the cross symbols since Islam declares that he was never crucified. In reality, Jesus will return and destroy the images of Islam. Mr. Shoebat quotes Psalms 82 and 83, which he says speaks of a war between the Messiah and the Antichrist, and compares them with Judges 8:21,26: “Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna.” (Psalm 83:11) “So Zebah and Zalmunna said, “Rise yourself, and kill us; for as a man is, so is his strength.” So Gideon arose and killed Zebah and Zalmunna, and took the crescent ornaments that were on their camels’ necks…Now the weight of the gold earrings that he requested was one thousand seven hundred shekels of gold, besides the crescent ornaments, pendants, and purple robes which were on the kings of Midian, and besides the chains that were around their camels’ necks.” (Judges 8:21,26) He states that just as David was a type of the King Messiah and Joseph a type of the Suffering Messiah, so too is Gideon a type of the Warrior Messiah who will abolish Islam and tear down the Islamic symbols from the high places (the minarets).

The Hebrew word saharon translated as ornaments in Judges 8:21 means crescent, moon and comes from the root word sahar which is the word used for the name of Satan in Isaiah 14: Hilal ben Sahar. The King James Bible translates Hilal as Lucifer and the full phrase means morning star/crescent moon. The crescent moon and star are Islamic symbols and according to Mr. Shoebat this means that “Islam and the name of Satan are one and the same.” The image of the crescent moon and star are prevalent throughout the Islamic world and may possibly reflect the image of the Antichrist/Mahdi. (p.380-387)

The Ka’ba (Kaaba) or The Black Stone

“Both Antichrist’s followers and Muslims bow to an image. The great idol of Islam, the Black-Stone and its veneration has been around from time immemorial.” “Everyone knows that Ephesus is the official guardian of the temple of the great Artemis, whose image fell down to us from heaven?” (Acts 19:35) Mr. Shoebat says that “the image of Artemis is similar to the meteorite stone image in Mecca which Allah commands 1.3 billion Muslims to literally bow down and prostrate themselves toward at least seventeen times during their five daily prayers.” He makes a connection between the meteorite that is located at the Kaaba and Lucifer’s image depicted in Revelation ch. 8 and 9: “And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.” (Revelation 9:1) “And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood…And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters.” (Revelation 8:8,10) The great star is Satan, the mountain is an empire, and the rivers and waters are the people of the earth. Satan, the fallen star, and the revival of the Islamic Empire will cause one-third of mankind to dies.

“The Black Stone of Mecca owes its reputation to the tradition that it fell from the “heavens”.” Mr. Shoebat declares that the Black Stone of Mecca is “clearly an “image” of Satan”. According to authenticated Islamic tradition Muhammad said the following concerning the animation of the image in Revelation 13:15, “Allah will raise up the stone [the Black Stone] on the Day of Judgment, and it will have two-eyes with which it will see and a tongue which it talks with, and it will give witness in favor of everyone who touched it in truth.” One Islamic author noted that many years ago the Black Stone was, “whiter than milk; it was only later that it became black as it absorbed the sins of those who touched it.” During the Hajj or pilgrimage to the Kaaba, Muslims circle the Black Stone in a counterclockwise movement and are thereby cleansed of their sins. Mr. Shoebat says there is a prophecy that is rarely understood by Western analysts yet alludes to the Islamic Hajj: “3 Behold, the Assyrian (the Antichrist, Satan in the flesh) was a cedar in Lebanon with fair branches, and with a shadowing shroud, and of an high stature; and his top was among the thick boughs. 4 The waters made him great, the deep set him up on high with her rivers running round about his plants, and sent her little rivers unto all the trees of the field.” (Ezekiel 31:3-4) He says that applying the key of interpreting symbols leads to the following interpretation: “Behold, Satan, a beautiful angel clothed in beautiful covering, an angel with high status. Peoples and multitudes from every nation made him great, and the underworld set him up high with the multitudes running round about his idol and sent out all the people to all the idols that were set for him.” He points out that the phrase “shadowing shroud” in this verse could refer to the black cloth (the Kiswa) which covers the Kaaba. He quotes Jeremiah 51:44, “And I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he has swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall.” No longer will the nations stream to honor Satan and walk around his idol. (p.388-392)

Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots

The next to last section deals with the Harlot or Prostitute John saw and wrote about in Revelation ch. 17:1-6: “1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” 3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5This title was written on her forehead: MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus.” Western prophecy commentators use to focus on Rome and the Catholicism as the fulfillment of the prophetic Harlot. Looking from an Eastern perspective the Harlot is associated with Arabia and Islam.

The Harlot’s connection to Arabia

Isaiah 21:9 states, “And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.” This verse is related to Revelation 18:2: “And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” Mr. Shoebat says that passages which are connected to Mystery Babylon in Isaiah 21, Jeremiah, and the Psalms speak of regions and cities in modern Arabia which was part of the Babylonian Empire. He further surmises that Isaiah 21:16 mentions the “glory of Kedar” which could be a reference to Mecca. Also the phrase “desert of the sea” refers to Arabia which is surrounded by the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Persian-Arab Sea. Thus Mystery Babylon is speaking of the region of Saudi Arabia. (p.395-399)

The Harlot’s connection to a desert

“Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns.” (Revelation 17:3) Mr. Shoebat makes a connection between the Harlot in the desert and the subject of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 24:26, “So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” He says that the Beast is the governmental aspect of the Antichrist’s empire while the Harlot is the spiritual aspect of it. Some Westerners suggest that Mystery Babylon could be New York, Rome, or America yet none of these sit in a desert. Conversely, Saudi Arabia fits this prophetic scenario perfectly. (p.400)

The Harlot’s connection to Oil

“1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” (Revelation 17:1-20) Mr. Shoebat states, “There are two very important descriptions of the Harlot that stand out: First, she exists geographically in a desert region. And secondly, we see that the “kings of the earth” figuratively commit adultery with her in order to obtain her “wine” in exchange for betraying God’s people. What desert “wine” intoxicates the earth, and causes this desert region to grow rich? What false religion teaches that the blood of Christians and Jews should be shed? What desert nation today is the geographical womb from which this false harlot religion was birthed?” The answers, according to Mr. Shoebat, are oil, Islam, and Saudi Arabia.

He quotes Joel 3:1-3 which mentions the wine and harlot: “1 For behold, in those days and at that time, When I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the valley of Jehoshaphat Then I will enter into judgment with them there on behalf of My people and My inheritance, Israel, Whom they have scattered among the nations; And they have divided up My land. 3 They have also cast lots for My people, traded a boy for a harlot and sold a girl for wine that they may drink.” He declares that most Christians don’t know the main reason Jesus comes to judge the nations is because they “divided up My land” and their treatment of “My People” the Jews. You can see that modern-day politics have resulted in the carving up of the land of Israel in order to create an Arab Palestinian state. Nations will sell out (they “traded a boy for a harlot and sold a girl for wine that they may drink”) Israel “in order to coddle the Harlot and obtain her wine.” He states that the Harlot will use both Islam and oil as her “wine” through which she “seduces the nations of the world into committing spiritual adultery with her and compromising Israel.” (p.401-408)

The Harlot’s connection to a false religion

Mr. Shoebat writes, “The Beast is a coalition of ten kings representing the seven kingdoms in the past, under the authority of the Antichrist. The Harlot is a distinct and separate geographically definable entity that represents the primary religious source of the Antichrist’s religion. The Harlot is sitting atop the Beast.” He restates his belief that the Beast is the revived Islamic Empire and mentions the similarities of the scarlet coverings of both entities and that just as the Beast Empire will behead God’s people so too the Harlot is drunk on the blood of the saints. Furthermore, the phrase “Mother of all Prostitutes and Abominations” is an Eastern way of expressing a superlative such as the biggest, the worst, unmatched, and most significant. In this context he says the purpose of this phrase is “to portray the Great Harlot as the greatest manifestation of spiritual infidelity against the God of the Bible that has ever existed throughout the history of the world.” The mystery of the Harlot’s false religion is that unlike any other pagan religion “it sprouts from a mixture of a heretical Christian cult and a pagan Moon-god religion that has attempted to cloak itself with certain Jewish and Christian elements in order to appear as a Biblical faith and the rightful successor of the Judeo-Christian tradition.” Paul’s letter to the Galatians illustrates this when he writes concerning two covenants: “22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Hagar. 25 For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. 28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.” (Galatians 4:22-31) Some consider Hagar’s son Ishmael the father of Arabs. From him came a religion of bondage (Islam means “submission”) out of “Mount Sinai in Arabia”.

The Prostitute is adorned with costly, royal robes and jewelry. The scarlet color is the “red” sinfulness of her corrupt and murderous religion. Mr. Shoebat asks, “What Islamic desert nation is governed by a Royal Monarchy that is known throughout the earth as being fabulously wealthy and utterly corrupt? What place is decked with gold, silver, and precious stones?” Saudi Arabia.

The Harlot is described as a great city that rules over the kings of the earth. This means that she is a politically and geographically entity. This great city is in contrast to the Holy City of Jerusalem where Jesus will reign from. Islam started out with its adherents praying while facing Jerusalem. Now when they pray, Muslims face Mecca where the Kaaba is located. (p.409-412)

Turkey

In the last section of his book Mr. Shoebat makes the case for the nation of Turkey playing a prominent role in the revived Islamic Empire and the rise of the Antichrist.

Seven Scriptural proofs that Turkey is the Antichrist Nation

1. Ezekiel ch.38 lists eight locations in the Gog prophecy. Five of them (Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Togarmah, Gomer) are located in Turkey.
2. The first Islamic Empire (which culminated with the Turkish Ottoman Empire whose capital was Istanbul, Turkey) is the fatally wounded seventh Biblical Beast Empire of Revelation ch.17.
3. Daniel ch.9 declares the people of the prince will invade Jerusalem. The first part of this prophecy was fulfilled when the Roman army led by the Tenth Legion destroyed the second Jewish Temple in 70 A.D. This legion consisted of primarily Turkish and Syrian soldiers.
4. Daniel ch.11 prophesies of a “king of the north” as a type of the Antichrist. Antiochus Epiphanes IV ruled the Seleucid Empire which encompassed Turkey. He blasphemously sacrificed a pig on the Jewish Temple altar and was a forerunner of the Antichrist.
5. Isaiah and Micah prophesied of The Assyrian who is the Antichrist. Assyria’s domain included a large part of Turkey.
6. Zechariah ch.9 lists Yavan/Ionia (Turkey) as playing a role in the Last Days. They are translated with the word “Greece” in this passage but are actually located on the Western coast of Turkey.
7. Revelation ch.2 mentions that the throne of Satan is located in Pergamum, Turkey. (p.421-425)

The Antichrist nation must be a mediator

Daniel ch. 9 indicates that the Antichrist will confirm a covenant or peace treaty. Since it also indicates a Jewish Temple will be built in the Last Days it appears that the Antichrist will have political influence in Israel and with the Arabs that may result in some kind of treaty.

Turkey fulfills the mediator role. It is geographically situated between the East and the West. It is culturally situated between Europe and the Middle East. It is politically situated between Israel and the Muslim world. It is politically situated between moderate Islam and radical Islam. Turkey has been an ally of Israel and the United States and has reached out to Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other countries in the region. Turkey has mediated and offered to mediate various issues between Muslims countries and involved itself in the Hamas/Israel and Hezbollah/Israel conflicts. The Israeli Prime Minister allowed the Turkish Prime Minister to inspect Israeli construction at the Temple Mount. Israel’s President and the Palestinian President along with leaders from other Middle Eastern countries have spoken before Turkey’s parliament. (p.429-435)

Turkey’s Military Might

Western commentators believe the Antichrist must come from a European nation/alliance because he has a powerful military supporting him. Amongst NATO countries Turkey has the second largest army behind the United States. It is strategically located to control the Suez Canal and other vital areas of the Middle East. (p.436)

Turkey the Hater

Mr. Shoebat states that Anti-Semitic and Anti-Christian attitudes are on the rise in Turkey. Beginning in 1915 Turkey embarked on a genocidal campaign which resulted in the deaths of more than 1.5 million Armenian Christians. Recently, Turkey has increasingly distanced itself from America who considered Turkey a moderate nation. One point of contention has been over the Iraq War. The arrest of eleven Turkish soldiers in Iraq by American troops further alienated the Turkish population. A very popular 2006 movie concerning this incident further revealed the growing Anti-Semitic and Anti-Christian attitude amongst the Turkish people. Mr. Shoebat points out that sales of Adolph Hitler’s Mein Kampf have soared in Turkey. (p.437-439)

Turkey falls to the Islamists

Turkey had been the longest standing secular government in the Muslim world. The recent 2007 elections saw the Islamic party AKP take control of Turkey’s government. Mr. Shoebat quoted the outgoing President of Turkey after the election, “Turkey’s political regime is under unprecedented threat…Political Islam is being imposed on Turkey as a model.” Although current Prime Minister Erdogan has stated he is “pro-democracy, pro-European Union, pro-America, pro-Israel, pro-peace, and pro-Global-unity,” He quotes him saying the following, “Democracy is like a streetcar. You ride it until you arrive at your destination and then you get off.” (p.440-442)

Turkey in Islamic prophecy

Mr. Shoebat tells of an Islamic prophecy which says there will be a Great War with the Turkish city Constantinople/Istanbul playing a prominent role: “The flourishing state of Jerusalem will be when Yathrib (Medina) is in ruins, the ruined state of Yathrib will be when the Great War comes, and the outbreak of the Great War will be the conquest of Constantinople and the conquest of Constantinople when the Dajjal (Antichrist) comes forth. He (the Prophet) struck his thigh or his shoulder with his hand and said: This is as true as you are here or as you are sitting.” He writes, “When searching for the Antichrist, one must never look to the Ahmadinejads or Usamas of the world, but instead to someone with a moderate mask–at least in the beginning. His sinister, rabid hatred for Jews and Christians will not be revealed until he lures the sheep into his den.” (p.443-444)

The Reality – The Muslim cry for the Mahdi and the Caliphate

President Ahmadinejad of Iran opened his 2005 United Nations address with a prayer: “From the beginning of time, humanity has longed for the day when justice, peace, equality, and compassion, envelop the world. All of us can contribute to the establishment of such a world. When that day comes, the ultimate promise of all Divine religions will be fulfilled with the emergence of a perfect human being who is heir to all prophets and pious men. He will lead the world to justice and absolute peace. 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.” President Ahmadinejad is not the only one calling for the return of Al-Mahdi. According to Mr. Shoebat, the Iranian Hojjatieh Society (considered a lunatic fringe by mainstream Shi’a Muslims) believes they can hasten the return of the Twelfth Imam (The Mahdi) by creating a period of chaos on earth. He says they are so extreme that the Ayatollah Khomeini banned them in 1983. He quotes Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu as saying the cult of Mahdi in Iran is why it will be very dangerous if Iran acquires nuclear weapons. The cult of Mahdi is not limited to Iran alone as Mr. Shoebat states there are several Mahdi sects in Iraq. He believes that many Muslims will rise up as claimants to the position of Mahdi in fulfillment of Jesus’ last days warning, “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many…23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:4-5,23-26)

There is also a call in the Muslim World for the reinstitution of the governing entity called the Caliphate. The worldwide community of Muslim believers is called the Ummah. Their sense of loyalty to Muhammad is above their familial ties as evidenced by their willingness to kill family members who leave Islam. Islam’s sacred traditions cause Muslims to believe that in the future Islam will rule the world. Muslims long for the former glory of the Islamic Empire that was a superpower for thirteen hundred years. All this came to an end in 1924 when Turkey’s first President, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, abolished the Caliphate. The West became prosperous and technologically advanced while the Muslim world regressed into poverty and dictatorships. Muslims blame the West and Israel for their current predicament and want to restore the Caliphate and punish the Western Nations. Thousands of Muslims have had various gatherings around the world to call for a new Caliphate. In 2006 an Islamic leader of the Guiding Helper Foundation in Israel called for the restoration of the Caliphate to a gathering of the Muslim faithful on the Temple Mount. One Islamic group in particular, Hizb-ut-Tahrir, is growing in influence with many of the other pro-Caliphate groups throughout the world. A University of Maryland poll of more than four thousand Muslims from various Islamic countries revealed that 65.2% of them want the Caliphate restored and a similar number want Shari’a Law to be imposed in every Muslim country. Mr. Shoebat says this illustrates that the majority of Muslims are not moderate and are a threat to the West. He says concerning the West’s naïveté about Islam, “It is time to get real.” He also quotes a 2004 U.S. National Intelligence Council report that states a global Caliphate is a real possibility by 2020. With events in the Middle East changing yearly it could occur sooner than that. (p.445-453)

Gog and Magog coalition forming

Although other Muslim nations will be part of the prophesied Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel ch.38, five will play a prominent role in the coalition of countries that will invade Israel: Iran, Syria, Libya, Sudan, and Turkey. The Muslim world is divided into two camps. These camps are led by the Sunni Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Shi’a Iran although there are some Sunni nations that follow Iran. This division is defined by those Muslim nations that are considered friendly to the West and its ally Israel and those opposed to the West.

In 2007 an Arab summit took place in Saudi Arabia. Because Iran and Syria were not invited to this meeting Libya boycotted it by refusing to attend. Mr. Shoebat says that a military alliance has been formed between Syria and Iran along with an exchange of military information. Western and Israeli Intelligence declared that Syria and Shi’a Iran influenced the election of the Sunni Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. In 2007, Iran’s President Ahmadinejad visited Sudan and strengthened ties between the two countries while at the same time blaming the West for the troubles in the area. These events along with the Islamization of Turkey indicate that the alliance of Muslim nations listed in the Gog War of Ezekiel ch.38 may lead to the invasion of Israel in the not too distant future. (p.454-460)

Islam’s Explosive Growth

According to Mr. Shoebat, Islam’s growth rate is four times that of Christianity. Adherents to the Muslim faith constitute one-fifth of the world’s population. One main reason for the explosion of the Muslim population is that their birth rates far exceed those of the Western World. It is estimated by some that in less than twenty years one-third of Europe will be Muslim. Mr. Shoebat declares that “well within this century–the Western world as we know it will cease to exist. For this reason and more, I say that Islam is the future, albeit only temporarily so.” There have been reports that converts to Islam have increased around the world, including America, since the 9/11 attacks. Mr. Shoebat says this could be part of the “great apostasy” that the Bible says will take place before Jesus’ return. He also recognizes that millions of Muslims are converting to Christianity around the world, some as a result of a spiritual vision or dream. However, because of the Muslim birth rates Islam is spreading faster than Christianity. (p.461-467)

Walid Shoebat concludes his book with a note of urgency, “The time is shorter than most think. Let us all hasten; therefore, to do the work of God.”

Walid Shoebat like any prophecy commentator has his critics. One criticism all students of prophecy receive is that they take Bible verses out of context. Other criticisms concern his personal testimony. If nothing else I believe Mr. Shoebat has presented a very plausible framework for the interpretation of End-Times prophecy. As stated above, Islam is called the fastest growing religion in the world, claiming one-fifth of the earth’s population as adherents to the Muslim faith. Earlier in his book Mr. Shoebat made a declarative statement that he agreed with Western prophecy students on End-Times teachings concerning the “Rapture, Tribulation, Millennium, recreation of Israel, 144,000 witnessing Jews in Israel, the Falling Away, the coming of the Antichrist, the coming two witnesses, their death on the streets of Jerusalem, and so much more. In fact, western interpreters agree that Islam is involved. The question I am presenting, though, is: “Does Islam play the main roll [sic]? Or a major roll [sic]? At least we all agree on the latter.” (p.353) After reading his book it would seem that the answer to Walid Shoebat’s question is the former. Islam will be prominent in the fulfillment of End-Times prophecy. Again, I would recommend that any student of Bible prophecy purchase Mr. Shoebat’s book and read for themselves the plausible alternatives to some of the prophecy teachings that have been around for quite a while. I don’t believe he is putting forth any radical or unbiblical theories of End-Times prophecy. He is trying to illustrate that Islam has a main role in the fulfillment of End-Times prophecy and he may very well be correct in that assertion.