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The Truth Behind the Attack on America

Dr. Sam Tillery

10-21-01

A Rabbi living in Israel has said “America has been trapped by the same weakness that has visited Israel in recent years: an inability to identify the enemy and fight it.” America is being told that our enemy is the terrorists, not Islam. The truth is that Islam lies at the foundation of the present deadly conflict in the Middle East, and now here in America. What we are seeing is a religious and spiritual conflict between the God of the Bible and Islam.

If our country is to see any victory and peace, then the eyes of the Church must be opened to the real enemy behind the attack on America. Our military may launch an all-out offensive against terrorism, but it is ONLY through the united and focused prayers of God’s people that the victory will be won. We must be informed as to the underlying issues and nature of this conflict, so our united prayer can target and release God power against the enemy of our God.

God’s Command :

Exodus 20:2-6 “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt. 3 “Do not worship any other gods besides me. 4 “Do not make idols of any kind, whether in the shape of birds or animals or fish. 5 You must never worship or bow down to them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not share your affection with any other god! I do not leave unpunished the sins of those who hate me, but I punish the children for the sins of their parents to the third and fourth generations. 6 But I lavish my love on those who love me and obey my commands, even for a thousand generations. (NLT)

Facts About Islam :

The word “Islam” means peace and submission” A broad meaning of the word is to achieve peace by submitting to the will of god (www.islam-usa.com).

The word “Muslim” means one who submits to the will of god. This is done by declaring that “there is no god except Allah and Muhammad is his messenger.” (www.islam-usa.com).

Islam does not worship the same God as Jews and Christians. Mohammad grew up in Mecca in Arabia, belonging to the Quraysh tribe in charge of idol worship at the Kabah shrine, containing the black stone and at least 360 idols. The word for god or idol in Arabic is “ilah.” Allah was the name for the main idol worshiped in Mecca. The name was probably originally derived from the two Arabic words “al” and “ilah”, meaning “the god” or “the idol.” Allah was also used as the personal name among the Arabs for the moon god. It’s symbol was the crescent moon found on many idols from pre-Islamic Arabia. Every year there was a pilgrimage to Mecca to worship Allah at the black stone. People were taught to turn towards Mecca several times a day. One month every year, beginning and ending with the crescent moon, was dedicated to fasting. Mohammad build upon all of these already known forms of idol worship. The only thing that was new was that Mohammad declared the pagan moon deity “Allah” to be the only true god and forbade the worship of all the other idols in Mecca.

The basic confession within Islam is, “Allah is greater (greater than all the other idols). There is no god but Allah and Mohammad is his prophet.” Professor Augustus H. Strong makes an accurate assessment in his “Systematic Theology” when he declares that Islam “is heathenism in monotheistic form.” Mohammad simply took the chief deity within the pantheon in Arabia, and made it the only god, keeping the pagan practices associated with this idol worship.

This is in complete contradiction to the one and true God found in the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, where idol worship is forbidden. Remember that Abraham was chosen to leave cult worship surrounding the moon god in Ur of the Chaldeans, to go to a different land, in order to give mankind the revelation about the only true God as a loving Father and Savior. To confuse the issue, Mohammad declared that Allah is the god of the Jews and the Christians. Since Mohammad’s beliefs did not agree with the Bible, Mohammad declared that the Jews and Christians have perverted the Scriptures. Therefore, Allah has rejected and cursed them and has sent Mohammad to replace the Bible with the Quran; and to replace Judaism and Christianity with Islam.

Counterfeit money is only dangerous if it resembles real money. This is the danger with Islam. With its repeated referral to Biblical material, and its recognition of Biblical characters, it is easy to think that Muslims pray to the same God, but they clearly don’t.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve. (NIV)

Matthew 7:15-16 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them"…(NIV)

From its inception Islam has been a religion of war. The Quran teaches that scaring the enemy is an important step in defeating him. It is the duty of Islam to subjugate and destroy the infidels, the Christians and Jews.

America has been called “the Great Satan” by Muslim leaders around the world. Thus the strike at America was a strike for Allah against his chief enemy. The devastating acts of war by Islamic terrorists against the United States have been greeted by naïve statements from well-intentioned government leaders to the effect that we must distinguish between terrorism perpetrated by extremist groups and Islam itself which is peaceful. Yet there are more than 100 verses in the Quran advocating the use of violence to spread Islam. In the Quran, Allah commands Muslims, “Take not the Jews and Christians as friends…Slay the idolaters (non-Muslims) wherever you find them… Fight against such… as believe not in Allah…” (Surah 5:51; 9:5,29,41, etc.) Though most Muslims would shrink from obeying such commands, this is official Islam and it cannot change without admitting that Muhammad was a false prophet and murderer.

Several years ago Steven Emerson produced for PBS an excellent video titled “Jihad In America”. It’s cameras went directly inside cell groups associated with mosques here in America, where eager young Muslims were being recruited for jihad (Islamic holy war) against the United States. Muslim leaders are shown giving speeches about bringing America to its knees through terrorism and making cold-blooded statements such as the following from Fayiz Azzam in Brooklyn in 1989 : “Blood must flow, there must be widows, and orphans, hands and limbs must be severed and limbs and blood must be spread everywhere in order that Allah’s religion stand on its feet!” Yes, Allah’s religion is the motivation!

It is not because men are Arabs or extremists that they turn to terrorism, but because they are devout Muslims. It is hard to face this fact that Islam is the driving force behind terrorism. It is true that the vast majority of Muslims are peace loving and would say that they oppose terrorism. Our sympathy is with them. However, should they not ask themselves why they follow a religion founded upon violence which from its very inception has been spread with the sword?

We are repeatedly told by well-intentioned government officials that we must be careful not to blame Islam for what a few fanatics have done. But in fact, terrorists act in direct obedience to Muhammad, the Quran, Allah and Islam. While nominal Muslims reject the idea, Islamic scholars agree that it is the religious duty of every Muslim to use violence whenever possible to spread Islam until it has taken over the world.

It is true that anyone who murders innocent people is outside the bounds of Islam. But that is only part of the truth. Most Muslims do not consider America innocent, especially since they support Israel. The Quran, found in the cars of the terrorists, was the foundation and motivation for their actions against America on September 11th . Bin Laden is one of the most devout Muslims. Where Muslims are in minority, like in the United States, they are taught to use much wisdom and patience until they are strong enough to take over.

Will Islam reject jihad violence as a way to spread its religion? Probably not, because the Quran is full of references to it. Sura 2:216 in the Quran reads, “Jihad (Islamic holy war) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows, but you do not know.” The late Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran said, “The purest joy in Islam is to kill and be killed for Allah.”

It is the unique doctrine of Islam that drives men to kill and be killed. Abu-Bakr, who succeeded Muhammad, declared that even if he had one foot in Paradise he could not trust Allah to let him in. The only sure way in Islam of achieving Paradise is to sacrifice one’s life in jihad. Yes, suicide is forbidden as self-murder. But to sacrifice one’s life in killing infidels carries the highest reward. And what reward does Paradise bring to the jihad martyr? He is promised a palace of pearls in which are 70 mansions; with 70 beautiful virgins. He is assured that he will have the appetite and strength of 100 men for food and sex. This is the fantastic dream that is fed to Muslim boys from earliest childhood. This motivation alone gives the reckless courage and determination to train and execute terrorist deeds in which they sacrifice their lives in bringing death and destruction to “the enemies of Allah.”

How Should We Respond?

First of all we must remember that as Christians, we have a responsibility to the Jewish people.

1. Psalm 122:6-9 commands us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and carries with it a promise that those who love her will prosper.

2. According to Genesis 12:3 we are to bless the seed of Abraham as one means of receiving the blessings of God in our own life and avoiding the curse. We should pray for ways to open before us that we can be a blessing to God’s “chosen people”. And remember that love should always go before us as the motivation of our actions.

3. In obedience to Isaiah 40:1-2, we are called to comfort, support and encourage the people that God calls His chosen. No people on earth have suffered such extreme rejection, persecution, and degradation from so many nations and people groups as the Jews. The Holocaust of the 20th century is but one example of repeated attempts throughout history to destroy the Jewish nation and remove them from the face of the earth.

4. Isaiah chapters 60 & 61 encourage us to support the nation of Israel and the re-gathering of the Jewish people to their land. We can do this through our prayers, financial gifts to ministries who aid and facilitate Jewish evangelism, etc.

A Rabbi from Israel states, “This is a religious war. They aren’t afraid to die. They have sanctified death, they die with the name of Allah on their lips, and 70 virgins are waiting for them in Paradise. You don’t frighten them with your bombs. At best, you’ll turn them into Shahids. They have directed their attack against your God. You have no alternative, but to direct your attack against theirs. When you destroy their god, they will become powerless and come back down to this world.” He goes on to say, “The Twin Towers will only be the beginning. The success of the terrorist attack will create an unconquerable desire among every Arab child to claim his share of martyrdom. Terrorist attacks will increase and America won’t have an answer.”

The battle against this force from Satan can only be won through intercessory prayer in the church that knows the truth of God’s Word the Bible. We must guard our hearts against any form of hatred towards Muslims. At the same time we must cry out for repentance in the church, stand on the truth and reject the lies of Islam.

Matthew 18:18 I tell you this: Whatever you prohibit on earth is prohibited in heaven, and whatever you allow on earth is allowed in heaven. (NLT)

If God’s church knows how to distinguish truth from error, and is faithful to that truth despite opposition, God will give her authority to prohibit and allow. It is the united praying church that holds the keys.

We must face the fact that without the fallen state of the church (Christianity), Islam could never have spread the way it did after Mohammed’s death. Jesus told His disciples, in Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. (NLT)

It needs to be clearly stated that Allah is a false god, and not the God of the Bible, the God of Christians and Jews. The war against terrorism can not be won by bullets, guns and missiles only. It will take God’s help, and must begin with repentance.

James 5:1-5 Look here, you rich people, weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. 2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every whim. Now your hearts are nice and fat, ready for the slaughter. (NLT)

1 Peter 4:17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God’s own children. And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God’s Good News? (NLT)

Joel 2:12-15 That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time! Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 13 Don’t tear your clothing in your grief; instead, tear your hearts.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful. He is not easily angered. He is filled with kindness and is eager not to punish you. 14 Who knows? Perhaps even yet he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse. Perhaps he will give you so much that you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before! 15 Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem! Announce a time of fasting; call the people together for a solemn meeting. (NLT)

1 Peter 4:7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. (NLT)

These conflicts we are facing today go way back to the book of Genesis where Ishmael and the Arab Nations are described. Genesis 16:12 This son of yours will be a wild one—free and untamed as a wild donkey! He will be against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live at odds with the rest of his brothers.” (NLT) Mohammed claimed descent from Ishmael. We see this scripture played out through history and even today where these wild men stand against everyone and everyone against them. The Arabs are essentially an Ishmaelite race who need the love and life that Jesus Christ offers all who will repent and believe in Him.

We must remember that it is Satan, the enemy of our God, and all He purposes for us, that is behind the evil and destruction upon us.

Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong with the Lord’s mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. 13 Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians everywhere. (NLT)

John 10:10 Jesus said, The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. (NLT)

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 We are human, but we don’t wage war with human plans and methods. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil’s strongholds. 5 With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ. (NLT)

We must remember that God sent His only son to die for the whole world. These facts should not cause us to hate people, but instead to walk in truth ourselves so that we may bring others to faith and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Material gathered from : www.foryourglory.org; thewatchman.org; pastors.com; islam-usa.com; the Bible; the Qurhan; authors Dave Hunt & George Braswell

by Dr. Sam Tillery