BBC: Is so-called Islamic State finished?
Official Seal of the Islamic State
BBC posted the following related to the group calling itself the Islamic State (also known as ISIL or ISIS):
Is so-called Islamic State finished?
October 5, 2016
Under fire from Russian, Turkish, Iraqi, Syrian and Kurdish forces, as well as US air power, so-called Islamic State has lost large swathes of land, as well as fighters and money. What does this mean for the Islamist militant group? Is it finished?
On 13 August this year, the town of Manbij in northern Syria was liberated from IS. After the last fighter left, the town erupted: men sat on street corners, cutting off each other’s beards; women tore off their face veils and set fire to them; an old woman lit a cigarette and laughed through the smoke.
Previously, all of this was banned by IS.
IS has lost other towns too, such as Kobane, al-Qaryatain, Tikrit and Fallujah. …
Many experts think it is now just a matter of time before IS loses its most important cities: Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria. If that happens, what then?
“Even if the territorial caliphate in Iraq and Syria is dismantled, this doesn’t mean the end of the movement,” says Fawaz Gerges, author of ISIS: A history.
Although IS shares some of its ideology with other militant groups, such as al-Qaeda, it differs in one key respect: it did not just talk about a caliphate; it conquered cities, erased borders and declared one. And in doing so, says Fawaz Gerges, it has energised global jihadism.
“The caliphate model will likely haunt the imagination of jihadists for many years to come,” he says.
So where does all of this leave IS? …
So is Islamic State finished? Yes, it will lose its caliphate. But then the insurgency will begin. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-37550300
The above article also had a photograph that said that the Islamic State will mutate and survive.
Essentially, there is truth to that. As I have written for years, the group calling itself the Islamic State would not survive as it is and its caliph will NOT become the King of the South of biblical prophecy (Daniel 11:40-43) (watch also Why does the Islamic State kill and terrorize?).
There is another group, however, which has more of a chance. That group is called the Muslim Brotherhood. While it has similar goals as the Islamic State, its approach and tactics appear to be more likely to succeed.
However, the Islamic State is bitterly opposed to the Muslim Brotherhood. So much so, its lead article in the latest edition of its magazine Dabiq has this in its featured article:
Over the last few decades, a devastating cancer has emerged, mutated, and spread, attempting to drown the entire Ummah in apostasy. Starting in an Egyptian city in “1928CE,” it quickly spread across Egypt into Shām, Iraq, and eventually much of the lands usurped by the murtadd tawāghīt. It then spread into the West – America, Europe, and Australia – and other countries throughout the world. Wherever there were communities of Muslims, it at – tempted to take hold of their affairs and instill within them a religion other than Islam, in the name of Islam. … The cancer known as “Jamā’at al-Ikhwān al-Muslīmīn” (The “Muslim Brotherhood” Group) 1 was founded in “1928CE” by Hasan al-Bannā … Since the founding of Rafd by the Jew Ibn Saba’, the sect has been at war with Islam, even cooperating several times with the pagans and the crusaders against the Muslims.
Jihād in this era is an obligation upon each and every Muslim as numerous lands of the Muslims have been usurped by the kuffār and numerous parties of apostasy have arisen therein. Until all these lands are retaken, cleansed of apostates, and ruled by the Sharī’ah, the obligation does not drop. … Allah c said, {And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows} [Al-Anfāl: 60].(The Murtadd Brotherhood. Dabiq, issue 14, Islamic year 1437–October 2016, pp. 29,29, 36)
So, the Islamic State wants war (jihad) and does not think that the Muslim Brotherhood practices the right version of Islam.
What does the Muslim Brotherhood want?
Here is some of what the official English-language website of the Muslim Brotherhood has taught about its history and goals (note: the now deposed president of Egypt ran the website below when I first viewed these quotes):
Al-Banna was chiefly responsible for formulating the policies of this association…the idea of universal muslim state was constantly implied due to the association’s focus on Islam. While strongly disapproving of local brands of Nationalism, particularly if they were Western-inspired and secularly-minded, Banna developed his vision of Pan-Islamic Nationalism, insisting that Islam and Nationalism were complementary, especially when the latter operated within the parameter of the Islamic truth, since, for the Muslim Brethren, Islam was of course both religion and state. Here we need to analyze what was the basic concept from which Hassan al-Banna initiated to establish such Islamic organization. Then we would also explore his thought of the causes of descend of Islamic society particularly in Egypt. However, his effort and works deserved great consideration of Islamic society in the revolution to the revival of Islamic state (Caliphate)…The Muslim Brethren…believe that the caliphate is a symbol of Islamic Union and an indication of the bonds between the nations of Islam. They see the caliphate and its re-establishment as a top priority, subsequently; an association of Muslims people should be set up, which would elect the imam”. (zhyntativ. HASAN AL-BANNA AND HIS POLITICAL THOUGHT OF ISLAMIC BROTHERHOOD. IkhwanWeb, May 13, 2008. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=17065 viewed 09/22/11)
What is the Muslim Brotherhood?
The world’s largest and most influential Islamist movement. Founded in Egypt in 1928, the group was originally focused on ridding the country of corrupting secular influences brought by British colonial rule. Over the years, it established branches and affiliates in many countries to promote traditional Sunni Islamic morals, social justice, and the eradication of poverty and corruption. “The Islamic nation,” its charter states, “must be fully prepared to fight the tyrants and the enemies of Allah as a prelude to establishing an Islamic state”—ideally a re-established caliphate, stretching from Spain across the Middle East and Central Asia to Indonesia, to be governed according to Islamic sharia law. (Understanding the Muslim Brotherhood. February 14, 2011. © The Muslim Brotherhood. http://www.ikhwanweb.com/article.php?id=28019 viewed 11/21/2011)
The Muslim Brotherhood apparently wants as its top priority a pan-national Islamic caliphate ruled by an Imam. It will not end up with Spain if I understand certain aspects of Bible prophecy correctly, but the confederation of the final King of the South may go from around Western Sahara and/or Mauritania to Oman (with possible involvement and/or coordination with Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan and/or Indonesia).
Although the Muslim Brotherhood is currently outlawed in Egypt and suppressed in many nations, at least parts of its objectives will be reached.
How can we know this?
The Bible tells of a confederation forming of lands in North Africa and the Middle East that will ally with Egypt:
1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy and say: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“‘Wail and say,
“Alas for that day!”
3 For the day is near,
the day of the LORD is near-
a day of clouds,
a time of doom for the nations.
4 A sword will come against Egypt,
and anguish will come upon Cush.
When the slain fall in Egypt,
her wealth will be carried away
and her foundations torn down.5 Cush and Put, Lydia and all Arabia, Libya and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt.
6 “‘This is what the LORD says:
“‘The allies of Egypt will fall
and her proud strength will fail.
From Migdol to Aswan
they will fall by the sword within her,
declares the Sovereign LORD.7 “‘They will be desolate
among desolate lands,
and their cities will lie
among ruined cities.
8 Then they will know that I am the LORD,
when I set fire to Egypt
and all her helpers are crushed.9 “‘On that day messengers will go out from me in ships to frighten Cush out of her complacency. Anguish will take hold of them on the day of Egypt’s doom, for it is sure to come (Ezekiel 30:1-9, NIV).
11 “For thus says the Lord God: ‘The sword of the king of Babylon shall come upon you. 12 By the swords of the mighty warriors, all of them the most terrible of the nations, I will cause your multitude to fall. ‘They shall plunder the pomp of Egypt, And all its multitude shall be destroyed. (Ezekiel 32:11-12)
So, while the so-called Islamic State will not be the final Islamic leader, the basic objective of the Muslim Brotherhood and others who want an Islamic caliphate will be attained. But it will not last.
However, a temporary peace will come for a time (Daniel 9:27; see also The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27) and some will be pleased with having an Islamic caliphate.
Partially because of the world’s repulsion of the Islamic State, many have already called for an Islamic Confederation similar to that which the Muslim Brotherhood has called for. One will form, perhaps with some current supporters of the Islamic State, but it will not end well (cf. Daniel 11:39-43).
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Why does the Islamic State kill and terrorize? The 15th edition of the English language publication Dabiq from the group calling itself the Islamic State has an article titled “Why We Hate You & Why We Fight You.” Do you know the reasons the Islamic State claims are why it kills and terrorizes? Dr. Thiel goes over those reasons, plus goes over the REAL reasons that they do, by explaining verses in the Bible that the Islamic State’s articles either ignore or do not understand, including some about Jesus. Additionally, Dr. Thiel agrees with some of the Islamic State’s criticisms of the West, but not their solution. This is a video.
Why Terrorism? Is Terrorism Prophesied? What does the Bible teach? Which nations may be affected? Here is a link to a related sermon: Terrorism, Christianity, and Islam.
Terror: Will Paris be Destroyed? The Paris office of Charlie Hebdo were attacked in January 2015 and the City of Paris was hit with multiple terrorist attacks in November 2015. Will Paris be destroyed? Is more terrorism prophesied? Will a successful militaristic leader arise in Europe? What do biblical and Catholic prophecies teach? Could any non-biblical prophecies be devices of Satan that will deceive people about what will happen? Dr. Thiel answers these questions and more through scriptures and other writings. This is a video.
Differences Between Islam and the Continuing Church of God What are some of the main differences? Are there any similarities? A video of related interest is titled: Islam: Any Christian Concerns or Similarities?
Is the Future King of the South Rising Up? Some no longer believe there needs to be a future King of the South. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? Might this King be called the Mahdi or Caliph? What does the Bible say? A YouTube video of related interest may be: The Future King of the South is Rising.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the Rise of the King of the South The Bible tells of the formation of a power of nations that are in the Middle East and North Africa that are part of the final “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40-43) The Muslim Brotherhood wishes to have an Islamic empire with basically the same nations. This YouTube video explains what to expect from such a confederation.
The Arab and Islamic World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam? What about the Imam Mahdi? What lies ahead for Turkey, Iran, and the other non-Arabic Muslims? An item of possibly related interest in the Spanish language would be: Líderes iraníes condenan la hipocresía de Occidente y declaran que ahora es tiempo para prepararse para el Armagedón, la guerra, y el Imán Mahdi.
The Prophesied ‘Islamic’ Confederation Where is an Islamic caliphate prophesied? Will one happen? Should you be concerned about it? A related video is Will an Arabic Calphiphate Destroy the West?
Libya, Algeria, Morocco, and Tunisia in Prophecy What is ahead for North Africa? What does the Bible teach?
The ‘Peace Deal’ of Daniel 9:27 This prophecy could give up to 3 1/2 years advance notice of the coming Great Tribulation. Will most ignore or misunderstand its fulfillment? Here is a link to a related sermon video Daniel 9:27 and the Start of the Great Tribulation.
How Will Middle East Peace be Brought About? Can humans bring peace to the Middle East? Here is a link to a related video: Middle East Peace? When?
Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing.
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