Understanding the Times — A Biblical Perspective on Current Events: Episode Five

In this episode we to take the discussion a little deeper. Because if we’re going to understand the times we’re living in, we need to recognise that what we are seeing in the world is not just political conflict or cultural tension. According to Scripture, there is a deeper spiritual battle unfolding behind the events of history. When Jesus spoke about the future in Matthew chapter 24, the first warning He gave His disciples was not about war or disaster. It was about deception. 

Transcript

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Hello everyone and welcome back to Understanding the Times, a Biblical Perspective on Current Events. In this series, we've been exploring how the Bible helps us understand the major events shaping our world today, particularly the growing tensions in the Middle East. In the first few episodes, we talked about the spiritual significance of Israel and Jerusalem and why this small nation continues to be at the center of global attention and conflict. We also explored the underlying spiritual conflict that needs to be discerned. Then in our last episode we spent some time looking at the nature of radical Islam and the ideology driving militant Islamist movements. In this episode I want to take that discussion a little deeper, because if we're going to understand the times we're living in, we need to recognize that what we are seeing in the world is not just political conflict or cultural tension. According to Scripture, there is a deeper spiritual battle unfolding behind the events of history. When Jesus spoke about the future in Matthew chapter twenty four, the first warning he gave his disciples was not about war or disaster, it was about deception. Take heed that no one deceives you. Matthew twenty four four. That's quite remarkable when you think about it. Before mentioning wars, earthquakes, or persecution, Jesus warned that the last days would be marked by spiritual deception. In other words, the greatest danger facing humanity would not simply be political conflict. It would be false ideas about God, about truth, and about salvation. The Apostle Paul later explains why deception is such a powerful weapon. Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. In other words, deception rarely appears evil on the surface. It often looks spiritual. It often looks moral, and it even looks religious, but its purpose is to lead people away from the truth about Jesus Christ. The Bible consistently describes history as a struggle between two kingdoms. There is the kingdom of God revealed through Jesus Christ, and there is a kingdom of darkness which seeks to oppose and resist God's purposes in the world. Jesus said, My kingdom is not of this world, John 18 36. The kingdom Jesus came to establish does not spread through military conquest or political domination. It spreads through repentance, redemption, and the transformation of the human heart. But throughout history, there have been attempts to establish religious kingdoms through power and conquest. And when we look at militant Islamist movements today, we see a vision that includes not only religious belief, but global religious rule. Islam emerged in the seventh century through the teachings of Muhammad and the writings contained in the Quran. From the beginning, Islam presented itself as a continuation and correction of the earlier biblical faiths. But the Islamic view of Jesus is fundamentally different from the gospel. Islam teaches that Jesus is not the Son of God, he was not crucified, he did not die for the sins of humanity. Muhammad is the final and greatest prophet. The Quran itself states, they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but it was made to appear so to them. Quran 4 157. And it also rejects the idea that Jesus is the Son of God. It is not befitting to the Majesty of Allah that he should beget a Son. Quran nineteen thirty-five. But the entire Christian faith rests on the truth that Jesus is the Son of God who died and rose again for the salvation of the world. The Apostle John addressed this issue very clearly. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. And again, every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. So from a biblical perspective, the central question is always this Who is Jesus? If Christ is denied, then the spiritual source behind that message must be rejected as deception. Another important aspect of Islam is the claim that the Quran was revealed to Muhammad through an angel. Islamic tradition teaches that the angel Jibril, Gabriel, appeared to Muhammad and delivered the revelations that became the Quran. The Quran describes this event. The trustworthy spirit has brought it down upon your heart. Quran twenty six one hundred ninety three to one hundred and ninety four. In the Hadith collections, Muhammad describes the experience of receiving these revelations. In one narration recorded in Sahih Bukhari, Muhammad said the revelation sometimes came with intense physical pressure and fear as the angel appeared to him. For Muslims, this angelic revelation is considered divine authority, but the Bible gives a very important warning about this kind of claim. The Apostle Paul writes, But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. Galatians 1 8. That is a striking statement. Paul specifically warns that even an angelic message must be rejected if it contradicts the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the message of the Quran does directly contradict the gospel. It denies the crucifixion, it denies the sonship of Christ, and it presents a different path to salvation. From a biblical perspective, that raises a very serious question about the spiritual source of that revelation. Another important element of Islamic theology is the idea that Islam should eventually govern society and the world. The Quran states, fight them until there is no more persecution, and religion is entirely for Allah. Quran 8039. Another verse says, fight those who do not believe in Allah until they pay the tribute and feel themselves subdued. Quran 929. These passages have been interpreted in various ways, but militant Islamist movements interpret them as a mandate to establish Islamic rule. Groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda openly speak about destroying Israel, defeating Western influence, and establishing a global Islamic State. A well-known hadith also reflects hostility toward Israel in the last days. The hour will not come until the Muslims fight the Jews, and the stones and trees will say, Oh Muslim, there is a Jew behind me. Come and kill him. Sahih Muslim 2922. Militant groups often use such texts to justify their ideology, but to really understand this situation, we need to step back and look at the larger spiritual picture presented in Scripture. In Revelation chapter 12, the Apostle John describes a cosmic conflict that began long before human history. And war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. Revelation 12 7. The dragon is identified as Satan, that serpent of old called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world. Revelation 12.9. Notice again the emphasis on deception. Later the passage says, The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12.17. Many scholars understand the woman here to represent Israel, the people through whom the Messiah came. So Revelation describes Satan directing his hostility toward Israel, the followers of Jesus, and God's redemptive plan in history. When militant Islamist ideology openly calls for the destruction of Israel and opposes Christianity, it reflects this deeper spiritual pattern described in Scripture. But it's important to remember something. Our battle is not against people. The majority of Muslims themselves are not the enemy. Many Muslims are sincere people seeking God. Our response must always combine truth with compassion. We stand firmly for the truth of the gospel. But we also pray that many Muslims will come to know Jesus Christ. In fact, some of the most remarkable testimonies today come from Muslims who have encountered Christ. As we watch the events unfolding in the Middle East and around the world, it can sometimes feel overwhelming. But Scripture reminds us that history is not random. It is part of a larger spiritual story. Jesus warned that deception would increase. He warned that conflict would intensify. But he also promised that his kingdom will ultimately prevail, and the gospel will continue to reach people from every nation. In our next episode, we will continue to compare the Islamic worldview to a biblical worldview. Until then, may we remain watchful, prayerful, and grounded in the truth of God's Word. Thank you for joining me for Understanding the Times a Biblical Perspective on Current Events.