Friday, August 26, 2011

Iran: Ready for War - Ahmadinejad's Rhetoric Escalates

Ahmadinejad just won't stop. His rhetoric almost sounds like a call for war at this point. One has to wonder what he has in mind as his proxies continue to pound Israel:

Ahmadinejad: Palestinian statehood only 'first step'

Of course we prophecy watchers knew this anyway, but for Ahmadinejad to publicly announce this represents a huge escalation beyond the usual inflammatory rhetoric. Is he making a public call for war?

The creation of a universally-recognized Palestinian state would be just a first step towards wiping out Israel, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Friday.

He spoke weeks ahead of a UN General Assembly in New York where the Arab League plans to seek full UN membership for a Palestinian state.


Didn't he get the memo? This is supposed to be a covert operation until it happens. But he is announcing it to the world. What will this do for the Palestinian "apologists" who have denied that this was the overall plan?

Ahmadinejad is confirming what prophecy watchers have said for years and years: The 'real' goal is the complete destruction of Israel. "PA Statehood" is simply a means to that end.

"Recognizing the Palestinian state is not the last goal. It is only one step forward towards liberating the whole of Palestine," Ahmadinejad told worshippers at Friday prayers on international Qods Day -- an annual show of support for the Palestinian cause.

"The Zionist regime is a center of microbes, a cancer cell and if it exists in one iota of Palestine it will mobilize again and hurt everyone."

"It is not enough for them to have a weak, powerless state in a very small piece of Palestine. They should unite to establish a state but the ultimate goal is the liberation of the whole of Palestine," he said.


Ahmadinejad: Israel is greatest threat in Mideast

Israel poses the greatest threat in the Middle East and regional states should take the necessary steps to contain it, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said late Monday as he met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the Fars news agency reported.

Ahmadinejad called on neighboring countries to remain vigilant against foreign plotters and to prevent external meddling, according to the report.

He warned that "any move in line with the Zionist regime's goals and objectives means committing suicide."


More evidence that Iran is on the move:

Iran stirs up new conflict: Its Iraqi terrorist arm shoots Scuds at Kuwait

Three Scud missiles flying from Iraq to Kuwait early Friday, Aug. 26 were launched by the Iran-backed Ketaeb Hizballah of Iraq, the first such attacks since the US invaded Iraq in 2003. It was also the first time any Middle East terrorist group had used Scud missiles.

DEBKA-Net- Weekly's military and intelligence sources reported on Aug. 12: A threat from the Iraqi Shiite radical Ketaeb Hizballah, an arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Al-Qods Brigades, trained by the Lebanese Hizballah, to strike the new port with Scud missiles, a threat they started carrying out this Friday.

Until Friday, there was no confirmation of the group's claim to have recovered most of the inventory of 250 Scuds held by Saddam Hussein before the US invasion of 2003. But now, is clear to Kuwaiti and Western intelligence officials in the Gulf that the Scud cache has indeed fallen into the hands of the Ketaeb Hizballah of Iraq and that there is a real danger of Tehran using Iraqi Shiite extremists to sabotage the Boubiyan Island project.


And don't forget, Iran has tremendous influence on the recent events in Egypt, as they are backing the radical groups within the country in order to cause conflict with Israel - and that is exactly what we have been seeing:

Egyptian Parliament Want Eilat

Egypt has insisted it has a claim to the city of Eilat since it lost the city to the nascent state of Israel in the wake of the Egyptian army's defeat in Israel's 1948 War of Independence, but after the 1979 Camp David Accords the claim was officially dropped. Or so it seemed.

The control of trade routes has been a principle source of conflict in human history. The 1967 Six-Day War broke out after Egypt closed the straits of Tiran and strangled the trade from Israel's southern port city of Eliat.

In exploring the 'claim,' which has been hotly debated in Egypt's parliament this week, Abed el-Aziz Sayef a-Nasser, an aide to the Egyptian foreign minister, was called as an expert witness. A-Nasser is the director of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry's legal department.

"Eilat, or by its former name Umm Rashrash, belongs to the Palestinians," he said on behalf of the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

His predecessor, Dr. Nabil el-Arabi, was the head of the Foreign Ministry's legal department and headed the delegation for negotiations at Taba. He also emphatically maintained: "Eilat belongs to the Palestinians."


So this much is clear (and there is much more in the article): Egypt wants Eilat and considers it theirs. What will they do to get it?

Despite Israel's 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, the Arab League's 1948 declaration of war to liquidate the state of Israel remains in force.


We have to always keep in mind the influence of Iran in the region, which has grown in leaps and bounds with the Muslim Brotherhood's evolving takeover. And below we see a stark reminder:

Egypt's 2001 revolution has brought a wave of radical anti-Israel sentiment to the country. Egypt has already sought to re-militarize the Sinai with tacit Israeli approval and the masses are demanding Israel's ambassador in Cairo be ejected from the country - a qualitative first step to the cessation of peaceful relations. The once touted Camp David Accords seem to have been cast into Cairo's dustbin

In terms of relations between Jerusalem and Cairo its increasingly looking like a return to the strategic reality of October 5, 1973.


In other words - we have another "pre-war" set-up in the region - a region that is just on the brink.

Also see:

Egypt Concerned Over Terror Threats to Suez Canal

The latest tensions in the Sinai Peninsula and the concerns over the growing presence of terrorist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda are having an effect on Egyptian operations in the Suez Canal, it was reported Thursday.

Reportedly, the Egyptians’ main concern is that Al-Qaeda terrorists will try to attack a Western ship as it is crossing the Suez Canal.

...the Sinai Peninsula has been in a state of anarchy with terrorists, some of them affiliated with Al-Qaeda, having infiltrated the region.


Iran seems ready for war, as they have been rapidly ramping up the rhetoric and as their proxies continue to send a barrage of missiles into Israel. At the same time. they continue to stir unrest in and around Egypt, which is predictably directed against Israel.

Don't forget this important fact: Ahmadinejad sees himself as someone who has an important role to play in the world - as he feels it is his sole job on earth to precipitate the coming of the Islamic Mahdi. The only problem is this: the Mahdi will only show up when war is raging in the Middle East with Israel at the center of attention. Ahmadinejad knows that his time as Iranian president could be short so his window of opportunity may be closing.

It seems that he has been baiting Israel for years to attack Iran - which could be then be followed by Iran playing the victim and subsequently calling upon the arab states to gather to collectively and attack Israel.

With that plan not working, we should watch him closely. It seems that now he is using his proxies from Egypt and Gaza to provoke Israel.

Sooner or later, he will take more drastic measures - that is a guarantee.


19 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank you again Scott for the wonderful post! You do such great work. The Lord is using you!

I need your help if possible. I have been able to open up a dialog with my sister who is a Jehovah's witness (for 50 years now!). The earthquake opened it up.

JW's believe Jesus began ruling from heaven in 1914.They do not believe he is physically coming back. No rapture. The 144,000 are only 144,000 JW's who will rule in heaven with Jesus. Brief describtion of what I am up against. They believe that the other "sheep" are JW's who will survive armagedon, everyone else will be destroyed. Everyone that is not a Jehovah's Witness is in satan's organization according to them.

We commuicate via email. This morning I mentioned to her that the prophesies regarding Israel are being fulfilled right now. (they do not reconize anything to do with bible prophesy and Israel..Replacement theology)..anyway. I have the opportunity to explain when she replies back. I hope. There is no way that she would read this blog or any other web site regarding this subject. They are taught not to.

Please if someone could give me advice on how to simplify this for her? What can I say..what scriptures can I use? I am a new christian and have just recently learned all of this, but I don't feel confident enough to tell her everything I have learned and what exactly the bible says regarding this.

I truly believe that God is gathering His people, the believers now. The fullness of the Gentiles will be complete soon. If I can reach my sister, then she will reach many other family members who are JW's.
They are very difficult to talk to as they are throughly trained not to listen. Only God can soften their hearts and open their eyes to the truth.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. It has been so hard to open up a dialog with her.

Excuse my typo's and bad grammer.

I may not be able to check back until Monday for any help that you guys may have given me. I will pray that I say the right words to her.

Thank you and God Bless.
L

John Chingford said...

Hi Anon L

Praise God for your opportunities.

Please check out this site which is specialised in JW outreach.

http://4jehovah.org/

I am sure you will find what you are looking for on this site.

God bless

Ian said...

L- first and foremost all praise and glory to God for your recent conversion...welcome to the family! I've had a number of encounters with JWs at my door, and while I used to be intimated by them when I was first saved, now I actually use that knock at the door as an evangelism opportunity.

There are definitely great apologetics on this topic online, but honestly, I've found challenging them on their rejection of the deity of Christ to be the most effective -- especially when you can use the OT, for which they seem to have a certain affinity. Read Isaiah and the LORD's many claims of unity in the Godhead: "I am the LORD, and beside me there is no saviour" (43:11), etc.

Be bold and Spirit-filled and He will take care of you!


Brother Scott - huge fan of the blog, watching and waiting with you for the soon return of our King! Maranatha!

Expected Imminently said...

Hello
Please excuse the rushed comment.

Most JW’s seem to miss this portion of Scripture.

Rev.14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the HUNDRED AND FORTYFOUR THOUSAND, which were redeemed from the earth. 4These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Rev.7:3 FUTURE TENSE as the 144000 are YET to be sealed at the start of the 70th Week ( so there are NO JW’s TO DATE that can fill that order). (part of a parenthesis, John is now being shown what happens BEFORE any harm can be done to the earth.)

Rev.14:4 They are ALL MALE VIRGINS – i.e. no women so that excludes your sister.

Rev.7:4-8. 12000 each from the twelve Tribes of Israel

Genesis 49:1-28 Jacob’s prophecies concerning the 12 Tribes in the last days. The Time of Jacob’s Trouble Jer30:7. (Some question this)

144,000 are the ‘first-fruits’ of the NATION of Israel to be saved during the ‘The Time of Jacob’s Trouble’ which is the purpose of the 70th Week - NOT the present Church.

Rev.2:9 and 3:9 Claiming to be Jews as the JW’s claim is ‘of the synagogue of Satan’.

Please note that those who reign with Christ are an innumerable company not just 144000. Concerning the 24 Elders in Rev 5 (I think) gotta dash.

Sue

DrNofog said...

L,
The nagging question the lost have, especially JWs & Mormons, those that are 'working' so hard to earn salvation, is "how good is good enough"??

Ian is correct that the deity of Jesus is the paramount issue of all mankind!

I ask: How can you "hope" to be good enough enter the Kingdom when you don't believe your own "bible" concerning the deity of Jesus?

Huh?!?

The whole Gospel of John is about the presentation of Jesus as Jehovah God of the OT, and it begins in vs 1 expressly stating:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

"But our per-Version says Jesus was "a" god, created by Jehovah..."

Oh really?!? - Well, either we have a contradiction in His Word, which can't be, or like I said, you don't believe your own bible!

The very verse where you claim to get your name, Isaiah 43:10, says:

10 "Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."

Funny you guys never seem to quote that last phrase...

So when, exactly, did you say Jesus was formed ... before Jehovah? or after Jehovah??

So you see, that unless you accept and receive Jesus as the "Wonderful Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace, the only true God and saviour, vs 11 says there is no "other" saviour.

And without receiving Jesus as the I AM He claims to be, there is no "good enough"!

Hope this helps.
;)

Anonymous said...

Dr. I know what you are saying. I have to continue to plant seeds. They really twist the scriptures and can't see what is so clearly in front of them. I know when I found out who Jesus really was, that was the very start of being born again. It was the most amazing feeling, the most beautiful thing in the world to me. It all made perfect sense. ( I was a JW's for over 30 years)

Anyway..I just checked the email and she replied back..But, she blew me off on that subject. She didn't mention it, she didn't continue with anything related to the bible..just chit chat..so, I have to regroup and plant some more seeds. I thought for sure that she would reply back and ask questions or at the very least tell me what she believed..but none of that.

THanks you so much guys for all of your time to give me a bit of advise on what to say to her. God Bless you all!
L

Ellis said...

L,

Quick comment from me, too. Remember how (and I say this as an x-JW myself) you're either "in the truth" or "not in the truth"? It's all or nothing with them. If you can get her to question just one teeny thing, just pull on one little thread, the whole thing might unravel. At least that's what got me started.

Remember one of their books about Ezekiel, where they say Ezekiel is a symbol of the JW church? That was one nit pick with me once I started asking questions. How could they say that, I wondered. Where are they getting this from?

Remember, too, how the Watchtower organization does not like or encourage independent Bible reading and study, they prefer you to use one of their publications as a Bible study aid? Maybe that's a little nugget you can work with, too.

Umm...what else? Their view of what happens after death, maybe? Proof of the immortality of the soul?

I know it's tough. When I left the organization, I stayed completely away from the Bible for many years because I was so indoctrinated that I couldn't read a single verse without putting 'their' slant onto it. I had to walk many years in sin before I was saved.

Anyway, gotta run.

Pray! God is with you on this one!

Jake said...

Hi Anonymous L

did you check out http://4jehovah.org/ given by John Chingford?

It is full of ex JW's with their testimonies and advices. It also shows how to witness your faith to them.

Also there is good material here:

http://www.reachouttrust.org/infoForJWs.php?page=2

May You be blessed

Alice said...

L,

Lots of good advice here! I will keep your sister in my prayers!

Jake said...

Scott are you okay. Not heard from you today. Are you hiding away under the bed or something. Has the storm hit yet? Am praying for all those on the East Coast

DrNofog said...

"L",
Funny how that number 30 pops up with JWs...

Someone else a number of months ago also mentioned they had been "30 Years a Watchtower Slave", which also happens to be the title of a book I read back in the early 70s, a pretty powerful testimony.

Just wondering about your alias "L" ... -reminded me of a story when we lived in the Modesto area where they have huge orchards of almond trees.

Most of the people that settled there were "Okies" from the great dust-bowl era, so fer some reason they all call them "ammonds".

I asked a sweet, little old lady at church one day why nobody pronounces the L in almonds, and she said it has to do with way back when they 1st invented machines for harvesting the almonds instead of hand-picking them.

She said these machines come up to the tree and they have these mechanical arms that grab a hold of the trunk and it shakes the "L" out of 'em! [with a wink and a sly grin...]

You couldn't help but laff!
;-D

Anonymous said...

I did laugh! too funny. Thanks guys..and Ellis, you are right. I have got to get her to question something. There is so much to work with. I will pray about this ..thank you guys for your input and prayers.Going to check out those websites too!

I know when I was questioning things, I felt horribly guilty for even praying and asking for help to know if it was the "truth" or not. I would ask forgiveness for questioning them. Only God can help her. Nothing is impossible for God. It feels impossible for me. I will pray all night on this one.

Keep safe all who are in the hurricane path. I will pray about that too!

L

Scott said...

Hey, I've been traveling all day - coming back from the mountains (yes, I was traveling towards the hurricane not away from it LOL
Have a ton to do - will be back on later tonight!

Scott said...

L
As usual, the others here have done a great job with your questions - The wisdom here is profound.

You may also want to quote from Revelation 22:18

"I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him...."

IOW, we are not to add or subtract from this book, period.

Anonymous said...

China says it approves of and supports PA Statehood.

John Chingford said...

Another verse to show them, on the same lines as Scott

1 Cor 4:6
"Do not go beyond what is written"

Although this scripture is referring to not judging one another, the truth remains that whatever we do we shouldn't go beyond what is written. That includes JW teaching.

GG said...

Hi L~

I am so happy you are here and in a wonderful position to try to help your sister. The wisdom pouring out of here is wonderful to help arm yourself with testimony for your sister.

The only area that I would add after looking at the wonderful link Jake provided is to go to the following page:

http://www.reachouttrust.org/articleView.php?id=96

General Principles on witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses

"You should not enter into discussions with Jehovah's Witnesses or other such groups lightly. Deception is very real and they spend many hours each week learning how to convince you of their arguments. Some who have attempted to share the Gospel with them without being adequately prepared to question the beliefs put to them have ended up joining them. Only therefore speak to them in detail if you have (1) a good understanding of your own faith position and the Bible; (2) a strong personal relationship with God and regular prayer life; (3) access to detailed refutations of their doctrines; (4) another Christian to discuss and pray through difficulties with, and ideally to be present when they come. If they raise questions you cannot answer, admit it and then find out the answers before meeting them again. Before speaking with them at all make sure you understand the verses they use to 'disprove' the divinity of Jesus (see appendix 2). If you do not think you have sufficient understanding or strength to deal with them at present simply give a short and clear testimony and politely shut the door, however then start getting prepared for the next time they call. If you wish to witness to them, the importance of knowing how to demonstrate your beliefs from the Bible and to refute those of the Witnesses cannot be overstated.

While they are very well trained at doorstep conversation, most will not be interested in learning from you. However they are very keen to teach you, and the most effective way for you to communicate is therefore to ask them questions; this indeed is the method Jesus often used. As Christians, always be respectful, polite, and calm; do not ridicule, bully or shout at them - try and make friends with them. Avoid a 'this proves you are wrong' attitude - use a gentle 'please could you explain this to me' approach (see F3 for further details). If they think you are genuinely interested you will be able to get eye-opening Watchtower literature into their hands and discuss key Bible texts with them without being branded an "opposer".

I know you mentioned you are new in your walk and welcome my dear friend. If I may suggest to fully arm yourself with the word of God and seek wise counsel continually as you are doing. In reading further on this page it is quite common for Christians to convert to the JW's way of thinking while trying to minister to them.

God Bless!!

GG

Anonymous said...

Thanks GG! Great advise.In fact I have come to the conclusion that talking about the prophesies of Israel is not the right thing to do at this moment. That brings up the antichrist, mark of the beast, rapture. Subjects that are "meat", not milk.

I need to plant seeds of doubt first.
Thanks all!

L

Expected Imminently said...

Anonymous L

A little addition to DrNofog's comment re John1:1

J.W's say and the word was 'A' God' i.e. they falsly insert an 'indefinite article'.

The Greek does not use an 'indefinite article' and read very literally it says 'and God he was the word'.

Sue