Defining the Narrative

Author’s Note:  This installment will conclude the series “Turkish Connection”. If you have not followed the series, or recently read the previous posts, you may want to review them prior to reading this one.  I hope to pull it all together in this final article of the series.

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, beginning in the late 1980’s and officially ending in 1991, the tide of Islam has become a tsunami in those old southern Soviet Provinces.  The societies from the Central Asian provinces of the Eastern Caspian Sea area including Kazakhstan to the Iranian border across the Caucusas Region and even up into Southern Russia, to the Eastern European Balkans have all become increasingly Islamized since the release of the Iron Fist of Communism. Communism is atheistic in its ideology and disallows the open and free practice of any religion by anyone of even nominal political persuasion, thus excluding entire communities from any socio-political participation. In order to hold office, you had to belong to the Communist Party, and therefore could not openly practice any religious faith. In Communism the state is God.

Don’t misunderstand. There were always Muslims practicing Islam in those regions. But just as Christians, Jews, or any other religious group, they were forced underground or treated as subjects.  That along with Soviet government keeping the peace at the muzzle of a rifle served to quell any aspiring Jihadists from acting on their “spiritual” impulses.  This part of the world was behind the Iron Curtain until the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan brought American media attention to the area. You may recall the United States was involved by proxy in Afghanistan vs. USSR much in the same way USSR was supporting North Vietnam against the US. Some say, arguably, that this helped to create the Afghanistan the US finds itself involved in today. Others say, equally as arguable, that this helped facilitate the breakup of the USSR and the end of the Cold War and Communist control of most of Eurasia.

With the newfound freedom of religious expression it was only natural that Islamic ideology filled much of the void left by Communism in these countries. No one hates atheism more than Muslims. In fact, generally speaking, Islam will tolerate Jews and Christians (as dhimmi’s) above Atheism.  This underlying Islamic faith which has been the underpinning of Central Asian culture for Millennia, was finally cut loose, coincidentally, just about a decade after the Islamic Revolution of the late 1970’s which drew the attention of the world.  The result, as we have witnessed, has been an Islamic revival and the beginning of the Third Jihad.

Ezekiel chapters 35-39 of the Bible describes the nation of Israel being revived by the gathering of Jews from “out of all countries” and brought into their “own land” where “they shall dwell in the land that [God has] given unto Jacob, my servant.” Jacob is also known as “Israel”.  Specifically, chapter 38 speaks of a great battle in which the enemies of Israel ally together with one common purpose which is to annihilate Israel. (This is not Armageddon which comes at a later time. I would recommend this essay on the subject by Jennifer Rast entitled, “The Coming War of Gog and Magog, an Islamic Invasion?” at Contender Ministries.)

Those countries and regions known by names of ancient patriarchal founders such as:  Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Togarmah, and Persia, are all to the North and East of Israel. Today they are known as Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Southern Russia, and Persia which included Iraq, Iran and most of the Caspian “Stani” countries as well. Ethiopia, and Libya will join in the attack, which in that day included Egypt.

What have all these countries in common? You know the answer: “…Islam”.

The Arabians (Sheba and Dedan) will stand by and be critical, but not actually do anything (Ez. 38:13), which they have been known to do in recent events and will be joined by “Tarshish with all the young lions” (Western Europe and progeny) in their observant criticism of the invaders.

As indicated, the desired outcome is the “Final Solution” to the Israel problem. Ever since 1947, when Israel was revived as a nation state, Islamic nations and Jihadi’s everywhere have vowed to “drive the Jews into the Sea” or “Wipe Israel off the map”.

Iran’s President Ahmadinejad has preached it.  Hamas, Al Fatah, Hizbullah and many other Islamist groups rally around the mantra along with every Islamic government in the world. Now a continuous media campaign from the Islamic perspective has had an effect on the Western mind, convincing many that the Jews are squatters, and it seems that many countries in the West are asking themselves, “Why do the Jews have to live there, anyway?”

So where does America fit into this scenario? Well, prophecy buffs and Bible scholars have been trying to figure that out for some time now.  I will refer you back to my lead in question of this series:  Will Turkey replace Israel as America’s chief ally in the Middle East?

While radical Islam has declared open jihad on the West, killing people with suicide bombers, rockets, airplanes, Kalashnikov’s, and butcher knives, moderate Islam has been practicing stealth jihad with much greater success.  The birth rate in the Muslim community alone is fast changing the face of Modern Europe.  Compound this with increased Muslim immigration from Islamic homelands to non-Islamic based societies and the result will be a changed culture.  It is happening here in America. Any time you have mass immigration without assimilation into the host society you have an invasion. No longer a “melting pot” where incoming immigrants become Americans, we are now witness to a new colonization of America. These colonists come from south of the border and east of the Atlantic. They speak Spanish, Arabic, Turkish, Bosnian, Somali, Punjabi, and Urdu.

You may know some of them. They might drive your taxi, sell you gasoline, or tutor your college student. They may landscape your lawn, roof your house, or sell you a car. These colonists might buy a run down property and build a magnificent new mosque. Or perhaps build a charter school and teach your grandchild the superiority of Islam over all other faiths.  He may be your doctor’s new PA, or the new county administrator at the Courthouse.  He may be a really nice guy, a family man, and honest as the day is long. There may be nothing openly threatening at all, but barriers are being broken down and prejudices are falling by the wayside.  “I know this guy. He’s a Muslim and he wouldn’t hurt a fly.” That’s probably true.

The Turkish gentleman, Fethullah Gulen, is accomplishing more through public relations, education, politics, and a friendly handshake than all the Al Qaida and Taliban warriors combined.  But, the common purpose of all of Islam is to dominate the world and re-establish the Caliphate.

The main problem we face in America is not the masked jihadi, but the ignorance of Americans toward Islam. Smiling Muslims in business suits are not the problem. Uneducated Christians and ignorant Americans are the problem. We are so naive to believe the rest of the world thinks like we do. We believe that if we compromise with Islam, “live and let live”, then Islam will reciprocate. Why? Because that’s the American way.

No. Islam does not reciprocate. Islam does not compromise and will not co-exist.  Islam is antithetical to everything that America stands for.  There is no concept of personal liberty in Islam. Freedom is understood as submission. Islam is “Allah’s true religion” and by its very title demands “submission”.

Islam does not care by what method it succeeds, but it will succeed in conquering the globe. Even Muslims have no choice in the matter; Islam must dominate.

Epilogue:

If the United States government continues to alienate Israel, those who seek Israel’s destruction will perceive it as an opportunity to strike without repercussions from the US. If the US government continues its courtship of Turkey at Israel’s expense, then Turkey may well become that chief ally. If that materializes, then the United States of America will be either directly or indirectly involved in that great battle described in Ezekiel.  In case you’re wondering the outcome read chapter 39. It takes Israel seven months to bury the dead and clean up the destruction God brings upon her attackers.