ISLAM: FACING THE CHALLENGE
by William C. Hicks
Since the terrorism of September 11, 2001, the Western
psyche has been awakened to an age-old competitor for the heart,
mind, and soul of humanity. Even in our postmodern mindset where
the mystical and eclectic are viewed with greater interest than
the faith of our forefathers, Islam has been met with paranoia,
skepticism, and concern because of the propensity for violence in
its fundamentalist expressions. The open challenge presented by a
religion seeking nothing less than world domination threatens to
capsize our Western moral ambivalence that values plurality and
religious tolerance above all. For contemporary Christians,
compelled by the Word and Spirit to witness Jesus to those
imprisoned in such false religion, the challenge is enormous. The
body of Christ is ill prepared for it and ignorant of the beliefs
and practices that are taking millions to destruction.
This article offers a scriptural perspective that reveals
Islam as a doctrine of demons and suggests that our ignorance and
indifference help drive Islam toward its goal of world
domination. My work in missions on five continents has brought
contact with various expressions of this religion that may be the
fastest growing on earth. It is the greatest threat to the world
order of my lifetime.
What draws so many to this religion? What do we as
Christians need to know to correctly address Islam? Much of the
concern about Islam today appears to be a reaction to its
violence rather than a realization of its inherent evil. The
desire to find a way to coexist with it seems to override our
concern for the eternal welfare of those trapped by it.
The neutrality and blindness of the West in our politically
correct openness toward Islam are two reasons people embrace it.
This is in stark contrast with the clarity expressed by those who
live with Islam daily. After months of dialogue, I am counselling
for baptism a former Muslim who now trusts the Biblical Christ in
contrast to the false Jesus Islam teaches. This man, now living
in an Islamic state, is quick to remind me that despite current
concerns over countries like Iran, the God of Scripture has used
these "Persians" in His plans throughout history for His glory.
He also informs me that the Muslims in his homeland do not
reflect the same tolerance for Christians that we Westerners give
Islam in this culture. The legislated religious freedom and
indifference of the West do not exist in the Islamic republics,
nor is this freedom the goal of Islam in general. He has warned
me that should I have opportunity to pass within contact range
for his baptism, we could both be executed - if discovered.
I haven't based this writing on some academic or linguistic
introduction to Islam in a theoretical sense. Rather, I intend to
raise awareness to the basic beliefs and practices of millions
who claim Mohammed as their prophet and Allah as the only true
God.
I offer this article hoping that readers will better prepare
themselves to give a Biblical defense against Islam in all of its
manifestations and to give a clearer testimony of the only way of
salvation offered to humanity by faith in the Jesus Christ
of Scripture alone. The Allah of Islam and the God of the Bible
are definitely not the same!
Why Islam?
The term Islam is derived from the Arabic verb "to submit"
(to Allah's will). It is by no means a unified religion, having
various divisions and sects such as Sunni, Shiite, Sufi, Wahhabi,
Druze, Alawism, Ahmadya, and Sikh. It is a simple religion that
sees itself as the legitimate successor to Judaism and
Christianity. Islam is the correct name for the religion that the
prophet Mohammed claimed was revealed to him by the angel
Gabriel. The content of the Koran (Quran), however, will assure
Christians who read it that the angel speaking to Mohammed was
not the Gabriel in our Bible. Even Mohammed and his wife, Kadija,
wondered if it had been a demonic experience that left him in
seizures, making noises like an animal as he received "the
testimony." This admittedly illiterate fellow then had others
write down the words given him in those encounters (seizures),
and he later organized them into the Koran.
Muslims claim that the Scripture of Jews and Christians is
corrupted and not trustworthy, while they also give lip service
to some of its teachings. The Koranic accounts of a various
events are also different from the Biblical accounts. The Muslims
teach a Jesus who was not deity and was not crucified or
resurrected. They deny any need of atonement before their Allah.
They redefine the terms "messiah" and "prophet" and attribute to
Mohammed many of Christ's unique claims: prophet, intercessor,
Savior, and Lord. Their strict dogma and fantastic claims to
spiritual origin from their "angel" draw many in for a closer
look.
Though Islam is growing rapidly where poverty and ignorance
provide opportunity for its promotion, it is finding allegiance
even in the West. The open anti-Christian bias of the secular
intellectual establishment cannot be overestimated in the spread
of Muslim faith. Today it is not unusual to see historic,
humanist and liberal "Christian" teachings - particularly those
that deny the Christ of Scripture and His written Word - quickly
embraced by Islam. One can read quotes by Western authorities
like Thomas Jefferson or Abraham Lincoln in the Islamic training
materials today.
For example, "Know Your Islam," by Yousuf N. Lalljee, opens
with this from a well-recognized Nobel Prize winner:
"If any religion has a chance of ruling over England, nay Europe,
within the next hundred years, it can only be Islam. . . . I
believe, that if a man like Muhammad were to assume the
dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its
problem, in a way that would bring it much needed peace and
happiness." - George Bernard Show. (preface).
Even the recent movies that deny the deity of Jesus, such as
"The Da Vinci Code," find great support in Islam. The
anti-Christian media and other liberal elements in the West make
them great allies.
What Christians can do
Concerning the realties of our conflict in this world, Paul
wrote: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the
darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places" (Ephesians 6:12).
He said not to be surprised that false apostles should come
based upon the existence of evil angels:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ And no marvel; for Satan
himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no
great thing if his ministers also he transformed as the ministers
of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works" (2
Corinthians 11:13-15).
And so it is that what could be the fastest growing religion
on earth was started by a lying "angel" who made Mohammed his
apostle centuries ago. This is not about intolerance; it is about
truth and lies. It is a life-and-death issue.
In full agreement with these statements, Paul warned in
Galatians 1:8,9 that even an angel from heaven preaching any
other gospel than the grace of Christ should be accursed, not
tolerated. This speaks to the condition of false religionists
before God and not in any way to our actions to harm them. Our
goal is to reach them with the truth in Christ alone, not to
convert them by force. Jesus laid down His life for His brethren,
and we should not be surprised if His call to witness of Him to
those who are lost might require the same of us (John 13:34,35;
15:9-14).
Therefore, we must not be tolerant of those who teach
against the gospel of Christ, nor should we look into false
religion to find truth. We must confront them with the truth of
Scripture in the hope that some will escape even the fires of
hell (Jude 23).
Cause for concern
The willingness of some even in historic Christian circles
to embrace Islam should cause us great concern. Recently an
Episcopalian priest referred to herself as a Muslim, and a
Catholic priest in Europe has called for using the term Allah as
God in their services, apparently to open the door to Muslims.
God only knows what could be next as Islam is embraced by the
religious confusion that engulfs many because of their neglect in
remembering our Book: the Bible! Read the warning of our Savior
Jesus again:
"For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the
beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And
except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be
saved: but for the elect's sake those days shalt be shortened.
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there;
believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false
prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that,
if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I
have told you before" (Matthew 24:21-25).
May our heavenly Father give us courage to face the
challenges ahead. May those He calls out of religious confusion,
including Islam, hear His voice clearly and worship His Son for
their own salvation and His glory (Philippians 2:9-11).
..............
William C. Hicks serves the Church (Church of God Seventh Day -
Denver) as pastor in Dryden, VA, and in Kingsport, TN, and as
director of G. C. Missions Ministries. Scripture quotations are
from the King James Version. The entire text of this article is
available at www.therestofgod.org.
Devil's Fingerprint?
Islam can be summarized in six basic beliefs, six religious
duties, and worship on: the sixth day.
* Six basic beliefs
Allah. He is one, with no partners or equals.
Angels. Koran came from "angel" Gabriel to Mohammed.
Holy books. Old Testament Law and Psalms (both now corrupted),
plus the Koran.
Prophets. Allah sent 124,000 prophets; Mohammed is greatest - the
"Seal of the prophets."
Predestination. All is determined by Allah's will.
Judgment. Peoples lives will be placed on a scale. If good works
outweigh the bad, people go to paradise. If not, they, go to
hell.
* Six duties
Shahada - testimony, creed of Islam. "There is no god except
Allah, and Muhammad is, His Messenger."
Satat - prayer. Muslims pray five times a day; bowing toward
Mecca.
Zakat - almsgiving. Muslims give a percentage of income to
charity.
Sawn - fasting. During the lunar month of Ramadan, food and
drink are forbidden from sunrise to sunset.
Hajj - pilgrimage. Once a lifetime to Mecca.
Jihad - struggle. Muslims war to get victory in their personal
lives: or to defend Islam against its enemies.
* Sixth: day honored:
Friday is its special day of prayer.
Is the apparent affinity to the number six indicative of the real
identity of the angel that gave this religion? The 666 here may
be speculative, inflammatory, or it may be relevant. Are we
witnessing the rise of something of biblical proportions.
(Revelation 13:18)? Let the reader judge.
William C. Hicks
Published in the December 2007 "Bible Advocate" - a publication
of the Church of God (Seventh Day), Denver, CO. USA.
..................
NOTE:
Bible Prophecy in Daniel 11:40-45 tells us that one day the
popular Christianity of the King of the North (The Roman Catholic
woman riding the Beast of Revelation - a united Europe) will,
because of being "pushed at" by the King of the South (Egypt and
her Arab/Islam confederacy), attack and conquer much of Islam,
then march into Palestine and Jerusalem. There will come a
showdown between Islam and Roman Catholic Christianity. Both
religions now (2007) claim to have over ONE BILLION members!
History cries out that ONCE MORE, at the time of the end, ABOUT
three and one half years before Jesus RETURNS, Islam and Catholic
Christianity will duke it out.
The Roman Catholic Beast power will win. She will ride her Beast
on into Jerusalem, and then her armies will encompass the city
and make it desolate, the stones of the old Temple (the Wailing
Wall) will crash to the ground. True disciples of our Lord Jesus
will have to flee to the hills, for now will come a time when all
things that are written will come to pass! (Luke 21:20-24).
The 5th seal of Revelation 6:9-11 will be opened! The Beast and
her Woman rider will turn and by force of arms and popular vote
shall we say, will rule and govern the Western world. The Woman
Church who rides the Beast will persecute and kill many a true
child of God. The "Dark Ages" of the Middle Ages of history, will
once more be the force of the day.
As Jesus told us in Matthew 24; Mark 13; and Luke 21; there shall
come a time of GREAT TRIBULATION such as never has been and never
will be again.
And the TWO FORCES to bring about this time will be the MIGHTY
FORCE of the nations of Islam and the MIGHTY FORCE of Roman
Catholic Christianity of Europe.
If the nations of this world will NOT repent then written
prophecy will come to pass. And there seems very little, if not
any chance they will repent. Jesus cannot return then until the
King of the North and the King of the South CLASS in battle! When
you see this happen and when you see the armies of the King of
the North march into Jerusalem, with a miracle working "false
prophet" then you will KNOW there is *about* three and one half
years left before Jesus the Messiah returns to establish the
Kingdom of God on earth.
Keith Hunt
Entered on this Website December 2007
