Posted on 02/16/2015 10:22:09 PM PST by SMCC1
"What is the Islamic State?
Where did it come from, and what are its intentions? The simplicity of these questions can be deceiving, and few Western leaders seem to know the answers. In December, The New York Times published confidential comments by Major General Michael K. Nagata, the Special Operations commander for the United States in the Middle East, admitting that he had hardly begun figuring out the Islamic State’s appeal. “We have not defeated the idea,” he said. “We do not even understand the idea.” In the past year, President Obama has referred to the Islamic State, variously, as “not Islamic” and as al-Qaeda’s “jayvee team,” statements that reflected confusion about the group, and may have contributed to significant strategic errors."
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
Was thinking in terms of denying access to the city that is in the middle of the theology/prophecy of this group.
After a few of you finally read this article, will you please pass it around and discuss it?
Actually, it wouldn't hurt if the whole beltway read this article. As the kids say, let's get real. .
Me too, but it is a small city (pop. 3800 or so). Take it. Then erase it. Keep it & the immediate area uninhabitable for about 20 years.
Why not make it a center of infidel operations. Rub it in.
“What ISIS Really Wants”
Re:20:4: ......... and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
So in order to live and reign with Christ for a thousand years you have to have your noggin chopped off for your witness?
Or is this just an example. Hmm, I have got to remember this with folks who are afraid they will be damned if they do something that is reminiscent in their imaginations of receiving the mark of the beast. They need to be beheaded for their witness too. Want to go on a trip to meet ISIS?
A very long, detailed, but worthwhile read.
"After its battle in Dabiq, Cerantonio said, the caliphate will expand and sack Istanbul. Some believe it will then cover the entire Earth, but Cerantonio suggested its tide may never reach beyond the Bosporus. An anti-Messiah, known in Muslim apocalyptic literature as Dajjal, will come from the Khorasan region of eastern Iran and kill a vast number of the caliphate’s fighters, until just 5,000 remain, cornered in Jerusalem. Just as Dajjal prepares to finish them off, Jesus—the second-most-revered prophet in Islam—will return to Earth, spear Dajjal, and lead the Muslims to victory."
Excellent article.
For more information of Muslim End-Time beliefs see my FR Homepage and Links Page.
An anti-Messiah, known in Muslim apocalyptic literature as Dajjal, will come from the Khorasan region of eastern Iran and kill a vast number of the caliphate’s fighters, until just 5,000 remain, cornered in Jerusalem. Just as Dajjal prepares to finish them off, Jesus—the second-most-revered prophet in Islam—will return to Earth, spear Dajjal, and lead the Muslims to victory."
Few points:
1. I wonder how much of it is modified & propagated belief (insofar as people like Cerantonio are concerned).
2. Although I am not muslim, I know enough about the Iranian concept of "Dajjal", linguistically, culturally & for muslim tradition. I had never heard of any "Dajjal", specifically in this context, coming from "the Khorasan region of eastern Iran". In fact, never heard of Dajjal coming from a specific region. Though, in Iranian culture & folklore (muslim and not), there is an "anti-Christ" ("Dajjal"), so to speak.
3. While "Isa" (Jesus) is mentioned in the Koran, and similar to the Virgin Mary is held in very high regard, there is nothing in the Koran, as far as I know, to remotely suggest that "Isa" (Jesus) will come back to defend "muslims" or lead them to victory against the "Dajjal".
4. What I'm familiar with (and heard, in "Iranian" folklore) is that there will be a Mahdi in Islamic tradition (akin to the Second Coming of Jesus). There will be a "Dajjal" akin to the Anti-Christ (or anti-Mahdi, in Islamic tradition). In (Iranian) Islamic tradition, the Anti-Mahdi will actually kill Mahdi. That act will prompt a massive bloody war & then expedite "Judgement Day".
Re #3: Correct -- those stories, like most of Muhammad's End-Time prophecies, are in the Hadith (see my homepage for links), not the Qur'an.
Re #4: According to the Hadith, Isa will play second fiddle to the Mahdi, who does most of the fighting. The Hadith don't say exactly which one kills the Dajjal. A lot of commentators say Isa, to agree with Biblical prophecy, but some say the Mahdi deals the fatal blow. Perhaps the latter opinion is a more popular in Iran.
Bookmarking.
ISIS IS SUNNI. SAUDI ARABIA IS SUNI. IRAN IS SHIITE, HEZBOLA IS SHIITE.
ISIS LOSES THEN SAUDIA LOSES. KUWAIT LOSES. IRAN WINS.
Seems the whole world wants ISIS to lose. Maybe they want all that Royal Family OPEC Camel Riding Crap to lose also?
A lot of commentators say Isa, to agree with Biblical prophecy, but some say the Mahdi deals the fatal blow. Perhaps the latter opinion is a more popular in Iran.
To say Mahdi will appear in Iran is a fairly popular belief. To say that Mahdi will be killed by an anti-Mahdi is also still a popular belief in Iran, as far as I know. (for most who care to think about this subject, in the first place - just saying..)
If the Iranian mullahs have modified the above since they came to power, then that's something else & intentionally propagated, IMO.
There are factions within factions in the Mullahs regime in Iran. Ahmadi-Nejad, for instance, belongs to the ultra right-wing, messianic, faction of the Mullahs regime. So messianic that it was too much for Khomeini himself.
It's a matter of "belief". I've no doubt some people or grp(s), in Ahmadi-Nejad's camp in Iran, for example, believe & have these messianic beliefs. But, in my assessment, that's not the majority of Iranians.
Thanks Dajjal.
Thanks for the ping, Dajjal. It’s good to see you. Interesting, informative, educational article. HOORAY Graeme Wood.
You're right - great article... You're question is right up there too... Thanks for the ping Dajjal.
read
What do you think of the idea that Ahmadi-Nejad is a Sabbatean Jew in the mold of the Donmeh, a Pied Piper on the primrose path so to speak?
I really don’t know. His mother is muslim by heritage. His jewish ancestry is from his father’s side. His father’s original surname is said to be Sabourjian. Evidently stated on his ID Card. Most likely an iranian jewish surname. Later changed to Ahmadi-Nejad.
He was questioned about his original surname during a pre-election debate. He evaded the question. His family said they changed it because it was easier to get a job (economic factors).
Re being in a mold of a Donmeh, it’s possible. Not just with him. Over the decades & in fact centuries many iranians converted to islam but privately continued to practice their original faith.
AN is also said to be a member of the Hojjatieh grp/society, which has a history in iran going back to the 1950s. Its an underground messianic organisation. Khomeini banned it.
I’m fairly confident to say that unlike some within the regime who pretend to be mullahs and/or devout muslims, AN very much appears to be a genuine believer.
That would be classically Sabbatean, which was part of my motive for the speculation.
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