Ahmadinejad's Prayer for the 12th Imam

I remain fascinated by the fact that dozens of articles have been written about Ahmadinejad's speech to the UN yet no one has noted the most significant element of his speech.

At least not until Joel Rosenberg's commentary:

"Ahmadinejad Prays To Hasten Coming Of The Twelfth Imam And Bring Islamic 'Victory'"

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made yet another inflammatory speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday. He began his remarks by praying, “O God, hasten the arrival of Imam al-Mahdi and grant him good health and victory and make us his followers and those who attest to his righteousness.”

Imam al-Mahdi is another name for the “Twelfth Imam” or the “Hidden Imam.” Shia Muslims believe this Islamic messiah will come at the End of Days to destroy Judeo-Christian civilization as we have known it, force infidels to convert or be executed, and will set up a one-world Islamic government known as the “caliphate.” Ahmadinejad believes the way to “hasten” the Twelfth Imam’s coming is to annihilate the U.S. and Israel. This would bring about the “victory” that Ahmadinejad prayed for on American soil. The speech went downhill from there. Ahmadinejad accused the U.S. government of masterminding the 9/11 attacks in order to save Israel. Few in the West, including our leaders, understand what Ahmadinejad and his colleagues in the Iranian government believe. And that’s the problem.

What should we do in response? We need to “get ready” and “be prepared,” according to Ezekiel 38:7. We need to gather in small groups and as entire church congregations and pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and mobilize others to pray, too. We need to travel to Israel to do prayer walks, and worship the Lord, and study and teach the Word of God, and to encourage Israelis that we are standing with them, and that the God of Israel loves them without limit. We need to care for poor and needy Israelis and Palestinians with unconditional love and unwavering support. We need to stockpile humanitarian relief supplies in Israel and build infrastructure to distribute even more emergency aid when the next war comes. We need to strengthen the Church in the epicenter in real and practical ways. We need to help our brothers and sisters throughout the region preach the gospel and make disciples and plant churches and show that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace and the only hope of reconciliation. Time is short, but our path forward is clear.

Unfortunately, most politicians in both America and in Europe don't seem to appreciate what we are dealing with here. Ahmadinejad is on a religious mission. What he is attempting to accomplish in his nuclear plans goes way beyond issues such as the defense of Iran, or the more blatant lie which involves peaceful nuclear power. That isn't the case AT ALL.

As stated before, Ahmadinejad's mission - in fact one could argue his purpose for living - is to hasten the return of the Mahdi and see Sharia law instituted throughout the world. This is the end game for certain islamic groups who share these beliefs.

These beliefs make Ahmadinejad unpredictable and much more dangerous that anyone will admit. He is on a religious mission to destroy the U.S. and Israel and that serves as his primary motivation in life. Not recognizing this - or worse - ignoring this main fact will put the entire world at risk, as he rapidly approaches his goal of possessing nuclear weapons. He has also recently acquired the capability to deliver such weapons anywhere in Europe and soon he will be able to reach the borders of America with these weapons of mass destruction.

Failure to recognize these basic facts puts the entire world at great peril. And at this precise moment in history, I see no world leaders who are up to the task of dealing with Iran appropriately.

Somehow, however, all of this ties into God's master plan. Because we are so close to the world's concluding events, prophetically, we know that everything we see happening in the world today is part of His overall plan.

Meanwhile we watch these events unfold and we wait with the prophetic knowledge that our redemption is drawing near.

Maranatha! The Trumpet call is coming and coming soon. Jesus told us so - it is a guarantee. Like a light shining in darkness (2 Peter 1:19) the prophetic scriptures given in our Bible give us hope and encouragement in these dark days.

That's the great paradox. The darker the world becomes, and the more signs we see - the closer Jesus is to fulfilling the promise of John 14:1-3, a passage that is ALWAYS worth repeating:

Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God; trust also in me.

In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you.

I am going there to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back and take you to be with me
that you also may be where I am.

That moment is coming and it is coming soon.