Don't Panic About August 22!Prophecy Central CommentaryRon Graff - Aug. 11, 2006 |
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By now, you may be aware of the fact that a highly respected Princeton professor thinks that Iran MIGHT attack Israel with an atomic weapon on August 22 (a few days from now!) There are many reasons why this scenario merits consideration, and many reasons not to over-react to the theory. We will give this information in outline form. Supporting sources listed at the end of this article supply the details. The warning comes from a venerated Princeton historian.
The idea has been widely publicized by credible news outlets.
WorldNetDaily, an extremely popular conservative Internet news source reported the theory. This brought it to the attention of a large audience that might have missed the Wall Street Journal piece. Fox News has reported the story, They haven’t made it a headliner, but they given space to the threat. CNN’s Glen Beck has publicized the matter by devoting a large segment of his hour-long prime-time slot yesterday to the theory. He also expressed the belief, held by many, that the various escalations of terrorism are all part of a larger attack that will continue and increase in the days ahead. These escalations include the Hezbollah provocation of war with Israel (with Iran’s full support), and the thwarted plan by British terrorists to destroy thousands of people in multiple aircraft on their way to the United States. Known radical beliefs of Iran’s President Ahmadinejad make the story plausible.
Iran is developing nuclear weapons and has vital military contacts with other countries that already have them. Ahmadinejad believes that he and his country are meant to prepare the way for their messiah very soon. August 22 has been mentioned often by Ahmadinejad recently, even in the context of answering the U.N. about their nuclear program. August 22 is the anniversary of a most meaningful event in Islamic belief: the “night ride” of Mohammed to Jerusalem, and then to Heaven and back. Ahmadinejad and many of his followers would not be constrained from using a nuclear weapon against their arch-enemy, Israel, by the normal fear of having their own country destroyed. During the Cold War, nuclear nations would not dare use their atomic weapons because their enemies would retaliate with complete destruction. This concept was called Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD). This fear would not work with Islamic radicals because they welcome martyrdom. Ezekiel does predict a nuclear war against Israel.
Exposing a conspiracy usually postpones the execution of the plan.
Iran probably doesn’t have a nuclear weapon yet.
Professor Lewis himself cautioned us against over-reacting to his theory.
Biblically, Israel should enjoy at least a brief period of peace before the war of Ezekiel 38 and 39.
Christians must not be dogmatic about the exact times and details of prophecy. Jesus said we could not know the day or hour of His return (Matthew 25:13). On the other hand, He chided the non-believers of His day for not recognizing the “signs of the times.” (Matthew 16:2-3) The wise course for us is to know Jesus Christ personally, live holy lives, and be faithful in sharing the Gospel with others while we still have time. (2 Peter 3:11-12)
Internet Sources: Prophecy Central’s “Gog and Magog” Section – Summary of many articles about Iran’s President Ahmadinejad and his beliefs. Prophecy Central’s “Mid-East Conflict” Prophecy Central’s “Israel-Lebanon War” Iranian cataclysm forecast Aug. 22 - WorldNetDaily Could Aug. 22 Be the End of the World Thanks to Iran? - Fox News Is Foiled Terror Plot Part of Something Bigger?; Is Iran Working Towards the Apocalypse? - Glen Beck- CNN Bernard Lewis thinks MAD may not work with Ahmadinejad - The American Thinker Apocalypse Now? – Joel C. Rosenberg – National Review World To End on August 22 - The Guardian – Columnist Brian Whitaker thinks the whole thing is silly.
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