Currently (2023-2024), Israel is at war against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi Islamic Jihadists who want to destroy them, as well as those who support the terrorists. With all the wars and terrorist attacks around the world, it certainly feels as if we are close to the "great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be" (Matthew 24:21 ESV). Islam is at the forefront of it all, as well as playing a primary part before and during the seven-year Tribulation period.
The two largest sects of Islam are the Sunni, who represent about 85% of the world's Muslim population, and the Shiites. All Muslims follow the Qur'an, which is their holy book given by Allah to his messenger Mohammad. It is divided into 114 chapters called Suras.
In the Qur'an, Allah, who is their god, demands war against unbelievers, especially against Jews and Christians (Surah 2:216; 5:34; 9:5, 29, 73, 47:4; 123-124, 191). Many passages in the Qur'an exhort Muslims to hate or kill or terrorize infidels (non-Muslims) wherever they find them (See Sura 2:190-193, 2:216, 2:244, 3:56, 3:142, 3:151, 4:56, 4:74 (beheading), 4:76, 4:84, 4:89, 4:91, 4:95, 4:104, 5:51, 5:32-38, 7:96-99, 8:12-15 (beheading), 8:39, 8:57-60, 8:65-67, 9:5, 9:14, 9:20-30, 9:38-41, 9:73, 9:88, 9:111, 9:123, 17:16, 18:65-81, 21:44, 22:18-22, 25:52, 33:60-62, 47:3-4 (beheading), 47:35, 48:16-17, 48:29, 61:4, and 66:8-12.
English translators of the Qur'an have tried to soften the true Arabic meaning of some of the passages. For example, the word "fight" really means to kill in Arabic. There are various versions of the Qur'an online, so you can look up the passages presented here.
Many believe that Islam remains the greatest threat to the world today because, throughout history, Islamic Jihad has been carried out against Christianity, and those Christians living through it believed they were in the Great Tribulation as tens of thousands were murdered and churches attacked and destroyed.
In the Book of Revelation, Jesus sent a message to seven churches that were located in the western part of Asia Minor, directly south of the Black Sea. The word "church" is translated from the Greek word 'ekklesia' which means the people of God, the whole collective body of Born-Again Christians found everywhere on the Earth throughout history.
The seven churches ultimately disappeared from the Earth, and the areas where they existed are no longer considered 'Christian.' However, during the late 20th Century, the archaeological remains of all seven locations were discovered in present-day Turkey.
The primary reason the seven churches of Asia Minor do not exist today is that countless Born-Again Christians throughout history refused to bow down to the god of Mohammad by reciting the 'Shahada' (There is no God but Allah, and Mohammad is his messenger) and renounce their faith in Jesus. Instead, they willingly chose to experience a horrible death. It is overwhelmingly clear that their transformation after becoming Born-Again was so utterly profound and life-changing that nothing could shake their faith in Jesus because they did not fear death.
There is an emerging contingent of those who believe that the Antichrist mentioned in the Bible may well be the Mahdi spoken of in Islam because he fulfills all the characteristics and actions of the biblical Antichrist (aka the Assyrian - see Revelation 13:1-10; Micah 5:5; Qur'an 27:82).
There is also a growing belief that the "false Prophet" will be the 'Isa' of Islam. The final world empire will actually be the "Beast," which is the one who fills the office of the Caliph (Mahdi?) after a Caliphate comprised of 10 Islamic nations is established (see Daniel 7:11; Revelation 17:9-11; 19:20; Qur'an 27:82).
When the seven-year Tribulation period begins, four horsemen will appear with the Antichrist riding a white horse carrying a bow without arrows and wearing a crown as a diplomatic conqueror (Revelation 6:1-2). He will work with a 'prophet' and perform public miracles by the power of the evil one, which will deceive the people of the Earth (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). He will bring peace and economic stability to the whole Earth unlike anyone has seen in history for 42 months and appears to solve all the problems of the world, including allowing the Third Temple to be built in Jerusalem, and the people of the world will become united (Daniel 9:27,12:11; Matthew 21:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:11-12; Revelation 13:5-7,13,16-17). It will seem as if Heaven came to Earth.
At the end of the first 42 months of the Tribulation period, people will be forced to take a 'mark' of the Antichrist, and those who do not will be persecuted and killed, which will make it known to everyone that he is the Anti-Christ Jesus warned of (Daniel 12:11; Matthew 21:21; Revelation 20:4). He will reveal his true arrogant self, and at the end of the Great Tribulation, he will cause all of the armies of the Earth to fight against Jesus and His army, and defile the Third Temple (Revelation 19:19). However, they will lose the battle! (See Daniel 7:11; Psalm 2:1-5; Isaiah 45:9; Revelation 19:20-21)
Taking the 'mark' of the Antichrist is a reprehensible and blasphemous act of willful defiance against God, essentially worshipping satan (Revelation 13:15-16). The word "mark" in Greek is 'charágmatos' and comes from the word' charássœ,' which means to carve, engrave, or sculpture something, an impression, inscription, or an etched, branded, mark, or symbol, as on an animal, coin, statue, or false idol (See Acts 17:29).
In antiquity, a 'mark' was branded on the right hand or the forehead, such as on an enslaved person, to show others they were their master's property and upon those who were willingly branded in a temple with the symbol of their deity. In Islam, the mark of the Antichrist (aka Bismillah) is a line drawn on the forehead and must be worn on the right arm/hand of every Muslim at Judgment and distinguishes them from non-believers (Tirmuthi 2369).
Islam is not just a religion but a system of government (Sharia law and commerce). Those who take the mark will have chosen to serve satan, the god of this world, rather than obey God and receive Jesus as their personal Savior. When people make that decision during the Great Tribulation, God will grant their request to be eternally separated from Him. A Born-Again Christian could never take the Mark of the Beast because it would be blasphemy against the Holy Spirit (the unpardonable sin - See Mark 3:28-29). All their sins (past, present and future) were forgiven at the Cross and Jesus will never leave or forsake them (Colossians 2:13-14; Hebrews 13:5).
I have included questions that arose after reading the Qur'an cover to cover that you can ask a Muslim when you connect with one online or in person. I have yet to find one who can answer or explain them. I do NOT recommend that a Christian read the Qur'an unless they are fully versed in spiritual warfare and the Word of God, the Bible.
**It must be noted that the primary difference between Islam and Christianity is the god of Islam requires the sons of his followers to be sent to die to prove their love for him. In Christianity, God sent His Son, Yeshua, to die to prove His love for them - once and for all.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE QUR'AN
Q. Why does the Qur'an justify the practice of abrogation (changing or eliminating text) yet also teaches there can be no changes? Why does Allah, the all-powerful, the all-knowing, need to revise himself so often? (Sura 2:105-106; 6:34; 9:5; 10:64; 13:39, 16:101, 17:106, 22:52)
Q. Why does the Quran claim that humans are responsible for their own choices (Sura 18:24), yet also claims that God sealed the fate of everyone in advance? (Sura 10:99-100, 17:13)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that Moses was the first to believe (Sura 7:143), yet also says Abraham was the first to believe? (Sura 6:14)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say the Earth was created in six days (Sura 7:54; 10:3; 11:7) but also says it was created in eight days? (Sura 41:9-12)
Q. Why does the Quran deny the divinity of Jesus yet acknowledges that He was born of the Virgin Mary? (Suras 3:37-45, 19:16-28, 66:12). How could Jesus not be divine if he was born of a virgin and was free of sin?
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that the Torah was true at the time of Jesus (Sura 3:48-50, 5:44-49, 5:110, 19:12, 61:6, 66:12), and also says that the Torah and the Gospel were true and unchanged at the time of Muhammad? (Suras 2:41,91,136,285; 3:3,70,184,7; 4:47, 162-163; 5:44-49,68,77; 6:34,91,154-157; 9:111; 10:34,37,94; 11:11-0; 12:111; 17:2-4,14; 19:12,30; 20:52; 21:7; 23:49; 25:35, 28:2,43; 28:52; 29:46; 32:23; 35:31; 37:117; 40:53,69-70; 41:45; 45:16; 46:12,29-30; 48:23; 56:78; 57:25-27; 62:5; 98:4).
Q. Why does Allah tell Mohammed to be patient with his opponents (Surah 73:10), yet also orders him to kill his opponents? (Surah 2:191)
Q. Why does Allah tell Mohammed to speak nicely to people of the Book (Christians and Jews) (Surah 29:46), yet also tells him to fight the people of the Book? (Surah 9:29)
Q. According to the Qur'an, who was the first Muslim? Was it Muhammad (Surah 39:12), Abraham (Surah 2:132; 7:143), or Moses? (Surah 4:153)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say the decrees of Allah can be both unchangeable and changeable? (Surah 2:106; 6:34,115; 16:101)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Allah made shooting stars to drive away evil spirits? (Surah 67:5)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say it is not good to enter a house from the back (Surah 2:189)?
Q. Why is it said that Islam is a peaceful religion, but Muslims are to "Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth no aggressors. And slay them wherever you find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out. . . . But if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving, merciful."? (Surah 2:190-92; also 2:29,41; 5:33)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say men are superior to women? (Surah 2:228).
Q. Why does the Qur'an say a wife is only a sex object for her husband? (Surah 2:223)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Allah told Mohammed not to impose Islam by force? (Surah 2:256), yet also tells him to kill whoever rejects Islam? (v. 193)
Q. Why does the Qur'an openly state many times that Allah is the best of l-makirina – the root word "maakir" means deception or guile (Surah 3:54). In the Bible, the deceiver is the enemy of God.
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that Muslim men can marry up to four women, but Muslim women can't? (Surah 4:3).
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that a man's inheritance should be a portion of two females? (Surah 4:11).
Q. Why does the Qur'an say it is okay to beat your wife? (Surah 4:34).
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that those who resist Islam, the religion of peace, must be punished by death, crucifixion, or the cutting off of the hands and feet? (Surah 5:33)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say a Muslim can’t become friends with a Jew or a Christian? (Surah 5:51)
Q. Why do 124 verses in the Qur'an call for tolerance and patience but are actually canceled and replaced by one single verse? "Fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)....." (Surah 9:5)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Islam is a religion of peace, but Muslims must fight until their opponents submit to Islam (Surah 9:29), and those who resist Islam must be punished by death, crucifixion, or the cutting off of the hands and feet (Surah 5:33), and a Muslim apostate must be killed? (Surah 9:12)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Allah told Mohammed to speak nicely to people of the Book (Christians and Jews) (Surah 29:46), yet Allah also tells him to fight the people of the Book (Surah 9:29)?
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that Allah told Muhammad to ask Christians and Jews when he is in doubt? (Surah 10:94)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that Sodom and Gomorrah were turned upside down? (Surah 11:81-82; 15:74)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say a boy and his dog slept in a cave for 309 years? (Surah 18:19,25)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say the Sun sets in a pool of murky water? (Surah 18:86)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that Jesus could speak while in the cradle? (Surah 19:29-30).
Q. Why does the Qur'an say every Muslim must pass through Hell? (Surah 19:71)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say adultery must be punished by public flogging? (Surah 24:2)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say that King Solomon learned the speech of birds? How could that be? (Surah 27:16)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Ants can speak human language? How that that be? (Surah 27:18)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Isam is a religion of peace, but Allah loves those who fight in His cause in battle array as if they were a solid cemented structure? (Surah 61:4; 2:190-193; 9:38-39)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say Allah made seven heavens and seven earths, and where are they located? (Surah 65:12)
Q. Why does the Qur’an say it is the ordinance of Allah for a man to have sex with a minor who has not yet menstruated? (Surah 65:4-5)
Q. Why does the Qur'an say the soul exits through the collarbone when leaving the body? (Surah 75:26-28)
Q. Why does the Qur'an also say that Allah created man from mud (Surah 15:26), then from nothing (Surah 19:67), then from clay (Surah 55:14), then from a thickened liquid (Surah 86:5-7), then from gushing fluid (Surah 86:5-7, then from water (Surah 86:6), then from a blood clot? (Surah 96:1-3).
GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE QUR’AN AND ISLAM
Q. Why weren't there any witnesses to the monologues between Angel Gabriel and Muhammad, unlike Bible prophets, where there were so many witnesses?
Q. Why weren't Allah's initial verses in the Qur’an the best the first time, and why did he correct about 700 of the total 6,241 verses (11% only) that could be understood by humans? Wasn't the Qur'an meant for Muslims to read and understand?
Q. Why did Allah convey his revelations to the Angel Gabriel, and why did he have to carry Allah's revelations to Muhammad in such an indirect monologue?
Q. Why did Allah not have direct dialogues with Mohammad, just like when God directly talked with the Prophets in the Bible?
Q. Why wasn't Muhammad good enough for Allah to talk directly with?
Q. Why did Muhammad go to Jerusalem on a donkey to rise to Heaven instead of going to Mecca – Islam's holiest or Medina-Islam's second holiest, and why are there no witnesses?
Q. Why is the Quran not written chronologically, has no miracles, no maps/places, no gender equality, no grace, no prophecy, no love, no history, no point in time, no kingdoms mentioned, no architectural references, no story, no proverbs, etc, unlike the Bible; but the Quran talks about the Jinn, Satan, Allah's fury, punishments, vengeance, terror, devils, evil, mutilations, murders, transgressions, gender bias, atrocities, etc?
Q. Why did Allah name the Chapters of the Qur'an as The Clot, Cattle, Crouching, The Jinn, The Cow, The Elephant, The Bee, The Ant, The Spider, Iron, etc., which is not proper for a holy book?
Q. Why did Allah sanction killing human beings for transgressions, digressions, unwed sex, etc.? Isn't Allah a creator of life and property rather than a destroyer?
Q. Why did Allah confirm evil comes from Allah himself? Doesn't that make him evil?
Q. Why did Allah say the Earth is flat? Didn't he know the Earth is round? And how can one face the Kaaba, except the sky, and how can he be so wrong?
Q. Why call Muhammad a prophet when the Quran refers to him only as a messenger and apostle?
Q. Why is the Quran so obsessed with virgins in so many verses?
Q. Why did Allah incorrectly copy parts of the Bible? (NOTE: The Bible ends with a curse for plagiarizing it)
Q. Why are there Hundreds of Muslim sects in Islam?
Q. Why are Islamic sects fighting and killing each other, and even within the same sect?
Q. Why are Muslims struggling to flee to non-Muslim countries?
Q. Why can’t Muslim males and females pray together, like in other religions, in a family unit?
Q. Why is a Muslim marriage only a contract and not sacred, unlike other religions?
Q. Why can’t Muslims marry in a mosque, like others, blessed in their sacred places?
Q. Why can a Muslim divorce his wife/s by just saying the word ‘Talak’ three times?
Q. Why can’t Muslims touch dogs and pork?
Q. Why are Muslim countries so backward compared to Christian, Buddhist, Jew, Taoist, Hindu, Bahai, etc.?
Q. Why can't Islamic law be revised instead of applying the same outdated 1400-year-old system to today's needs?
Q. Why is there so much rape, molestation, incest, other sexual crimes, unemployment and destruction in Muslim countries?
Q. Why are Muslim family members killing their mothers, wives, sisters, daughters, etc. (Honor Killing?)
Q. Why did satan include his verses in the Quran in the first place, and why were they working on the Quran together?
Q. Why did Allah command Muslims to pray at five specific times every day for 365 days, and where is Allah at other times whereas other religions can pray whichever, wherever, in any way, and free to face in any direction, and free to pray, as many times, and at different times?
Q. Why should the first prayer be around 5.20 a.m. daily?
Q. Why use powerful loudspeakers to pray? Is Allah hard of hearing?
Q. Why are Muslim charities used for terrorism?
Q. Why is the Qur'an supposed to be only in Arabic - isn't it for non-Arabs as well?
Q. Why did Allah say that he removed satan's verses in the Quran?
Q. Why command washing the genitals, anus, nostrils, armpits, ears, etc., before the five daily prayers; are Muslims so dirty Allah?
Q. Why did Allah change the direction of prayer from Mecca to Jerusalem and back to Mecca again (Qibla)?
Q. Why did Allah think that covering Muslim women from head to toe would not sexually arouse Muslim men?
Q. Why did Muhammad have so many wives, temporary wives, concubines, and slaves?
Q. Why does Allah reward a male Muslim martyr, 72 fair virgin maidens, etc., – and why not female martyrs?
Q. Why did Allah make sexual pleasures rewards for martyrdom?
Q. Why do Muslims rejoice in others' misfortunes?
Q. What kind of man was Muhammad that he would have peaceful Jews, a 120-year-old man, a mother of 5 children, slave girls, etc., murdered because they disagreed or criticized him?
Q. Why is it right to murder others simply because they disagree or even mock you? Why couldn't Muhammad handle some criticism? Do people who disagree with others deserve to be murdered in cold blood, in the night, secretly, while they sleep? Don't corrupt politicians or organized criminals do that?
Q. Why is it that the more fundamentalist Muslim nations become, the more oppressive they are toward all fundamental human rights?
