Sharia Banking Conquers Europe
Brussels Journal: All over Europe Islamic banks are establishing branches, Western banks are offering Sharia-compliant financial services, and European governments are trying to outcompete each other in welcoming them. Proponents of banking along the lines of Sharia (Islamic law) claim that the Islamic banking system is “more ethical” than the West’s capitalist system. This is not true. Unfortunately, however, in our age of crashing financial markets, many Westerners – not just the traditional anti-capitalist European left – seem very eager to buy that argument.
Early this month, even the Vatican newspaper Osservatore Romano voiced its approval of Sharia banking. “The ethical principles on which Islamic finance is based may bring banks closer to their clients and to the true spirit which should mark every financial service,” the paper said in a downright stupid and “unethical” article published on March, 4.
The article, entitled “Islamic finance proposals and ideas for the West in crisis” [pdf] suggests that the basic rules of Islamic finance could relieve suffering markets and particularly international financial systems. It says that in the current atmosphere of crisis banks should take Muslims as an example and that the Islamic finance system may pave the way for the establishment of new rules in the Western world.
Islamic or Sharia banks differ from regular banks in two major ways. As commanded in the Koran, the charging of interest is prohibited in all monetary transactions. The other defining feature of Islamic banks is that they are supervised by a board of Islamic scholars and clerics whose job it is to ensure that the banks’ activities comply with Sharia law.
Its proponents argue that Islamic banking is “ethically superior” to the capitalist principles of the “materialistic” West because, as Giovanni Maria Vian, the editor of Osservatore Romano says, Sharia banks take “the human dimension of the economy” into account.
The two dirty secrets of Islamic banking, however, are that, like all banks, Sharia banks do charge interest – they just give it another name – and that the clerics supervising the banks have ties to extremist, even terrorist, groups which work towards the Islamization of Europe and world dominance.
Helena Christofi, an expert on Sharia banking, explains that Islamic banks extend a type of Islamic “credit,” called murabaha, that shifts risk to the borrower in a manner similar to interest.
“An Islamic bank granting murabaha credit to a customer for an automobile, for example, would purchase the automobile for the customer for $15,000 and the customer would owe the bank $20,000 in a year’s time. Similarly, under the ‘diminishing musharaka’ credit, the Islamic version of a mortgage, the bank and the customer purchase the property together. The customer must make monthly payments to the bank and pay a monthly rental fee, both based on the portion of the purchase price the bank still owns. Ironically, the interest this amounts to ranges between one and two percent higher than the interest on a conventional mortgage. Although the resale price of the vehicle and the rent paid on the house are akin to simple interest charges, the banks’ sharia boards legitimate the charges by renaming them ‘commissions’ or ‘profits.’”
The Sharia boards supervising the Islamic banks and Sharia-compliant financial services offered by regular European banks are composed of members of the European Council for Fatwa and Research. This Council is headed by Sheik Yousef Al-Qaradawi, a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood and instigator and financier of terrorism in Europe and the Middle East. Both Al-Qaradawi and the Council have expressed their hope that “Islam will return to Europe as a conqueror.”
With ever larger Muslim populations there is a growing internal demand for an “ethical alternative” to conventional banking for Muslims. A 2006 poll by Lloyds Trustee Savings Bank in Britain found that over 75% of British Muslims want Sharia-compliant banking products, while in 2005 Mufti Abdul Barkatullah, Sharia adviser to Lloyds TSB and an imam at a North London mosque reported that 20% of inquiries into Islamic products at Lloyds TSB came from non-Muslims who have bought the argument that conventional capitalist banking is somehow unethical.
Alun Williams, marketing director of the Islamic Bank of Britain, established in 2004 and one of the first Sharia banks in Europe, told The Guardian (April 2, 2005):
“Our biggest appeal outside the Muslim community will be to those who feel disenfranchised by, and bitter about, mainstream banks. […] Non-Muslims are fascinated by us, the more so because we intend offering […] an ethical dimension.”
That was four years ago. Meanwhile, Islamic banking has boomed all over Europe and interest from non-Muslims has grown in the wake of the financial crisis, which some, such as the Vatican paper, claim is due to the free-market model having “grown too much and badly in the past two decades.”
Sharia principles, however, not only prohibit the collection and payment of interest and investing in companies involved in gambling, alcohol, tobacco, pornography and the production of pork, but also forbid women from opening bank accounts without their husband’s approval. How “ethical” the latter is for the non-Muslims “fascinated” by Sharia banking is unclear. However, Western banks offering Sharia-compliant services to non-Muslims do not seem to insist on barring women. According to Christofi,
“The justification for replacing capitalism with the Islamic model is based on an intentional corruption of Sharia law, but the banks’ clerics don’t seem to mind undermining their theological philosophy, since the ethical image their misrepresentation has created for Islamic banking has managed to spread Islamic ideology to non-Muslims in Britain. According to Al-Qaradawi, Islam’s ideological infiltration into the West will be the vehicle through which it will establish an Islamic government over the entire globe.”
Although Al-Qaradawi and other members of the European Council for Fatwa and Research are connected to Islamist circles, the British government continues to promote the UK as a hub for Islamic banking. Western governments welcome Sharia-compliant banking because of the huge sums this attracts from Muslim immigrants, “ethically”-driven non-Muslims, and investors from Muslim countries.
In December 2008, the French Senate looked at ways to eliminate legal hurdles for Islamic financial services and products in France. French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde announced France’s intention to make Paris “the capital of Islamic finance” and said several Islamic banks would open branches in the French capital in 2009. French sources estimate this area of the financial market is worth from 500 to 600 billion dollars and could grow by an average 11 percent a year.
In July 2007, Wouter Bos, the Dutch Finance Minister (and leader of the Dutch Labour Party), said the Dutch government actively encourages Islamic banking, despite the risk that this acts as a Trojan horse in the Western banking system for groups linked to terrorists.
“In the first place because Islamic banking meets a demand from the Muslims living in the Netherlands. In the second place because we see an opportunity here for the Dutch financial sector. A third reason is that banning Islamic banking from the perspective of fighting terrorism will have a counter-productive effect. Denial of an actual need can lead to money-flows running via alternative channels out of the sight of the government.”
Switzerland, too, wants its share of Sharia banking. Years ago, Swiss banks already opened branches in the Middle East, offering worldwide Sharia-compliant financial products to wealthy Arabs.
In October 2006, the Swiss authorities granted a banking license to the first Switzerland-based bank that operates according to Sharia principles. Others have followed. “There are simply not enough financial products being created in the West for Muslim clients,” says John Sandwick, managing director of Swiss asset management firm Encore Management. “If no effort is made whatsoever, I am afraid the world will pass Switzerland by in the race to control the rich prize: which today is worth hundreds of billions, but in the future will be trillions of dollars of Islamic wealth.” Michael Fouad Chahine of Credit Suisse says “The development of Islamic banking has so far been limited to countries with a higher percentage of Muslims. But this is changing as more international regulators accept the importance of Sharia. It is now also accepted as socially responsible banking.”
How “socially responsible” and “ethical” is it to try to grab a share of the billions of dollars amassed by rich Arabs, while turning a blind eye to the fact that a substantial part of the money is used to promote terrorism and the establishment of an Islamic government over the entire globe?
In one of his sermons, Sheikh Al-Qaradhawi, one of the supervisors of the Sharia-compliant financial services offered in Britain, speaks of “the conquest of Rome.” In view of the recent article of the Osservatore Romano, Al-Qaradhawi’s words sound rather ominous:
“The city of Hirqil [Constantinople] was conquered by the young 23-year-old Ottoman Muhammad bin Morad, known in history as Muhammad the Conqueror, in 1453. The other city, Romiyya [Rome], remains, and we hope and believe [that it too will be conquered]. This means that Islam will return to Europe as a conqueror and victor, after being expelled from it twice […]. In one of my previous programs, I said that I think that this conquest [of Rome] would not be by the sword or armies, but by preaching and ideology. Europe will see that it suffers from materialistic culture, and will seek an alternative, it will seek a way out, it will seek a lifeboat. It will find no lifesaver but the message of Islam.”
Will the Vatican Bank be the next to go Sharia?
March 24th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
Sharia banking in the EU. The economic system of the reconstituted Roman Empire ( the Beast that was, and is not, and yet is-Rev.17) will be a tool in the hand of the coming Mahdi and his false prophet to gain world-wide support and control. This news only serves to substantiate the divine inspiration of God’s word, the Bible. I pray that the Lord’s church recognizes these signs of the times, and continues its witness to those enslaved by this colossal deception.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Now it the time for all good men to come to the aid of their [fellow man].
March 24th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Actually, Joel, this article you posted may give more creedence of the eventual IC attaining world dominance as the means of being realized thru global finance/economics. Are you really still convinced the IC will be a regional influence? Yes, the prophetic arena will always be the ME and Israel, but is there a larger factor being overlooked? I just have to wonder…if there is not more to the story.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
God told the people in the book of Isaiah that they could distinguish the false gods, the idols from Him by the fact that He told them what would happen from the beginning to the end. Today we have the most marvelous witnessing tools one could hope for, fulfilled prophecies in the past and those being fulfilled today. It is so easy to steer any conversation towards spiritual things by simply talking about current events and how these things were prophecied to happen in the Holy Bible.
We are being told by muslims that Christianity has failed the west by the apparent rampant immorality in western culture, add to this the percieved excesses of the capitalisitic system of the west and many in the west will be duped into the antichrist system for sure.
God’s people need to witness, live holy and continue studying the Scriptures so we can rightly serve as watchmen
March 25th, 2009 at 12:18 am
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,510364,00.html
I think the EU fits into the prophetic picture as well. IMO Europe will be a province or an ally of the coming Islamic empire.
March 25th, 2009 at 2:31 am
Bonjour Suzy,
Thanks for the link.
I live in France where things are even worse than in Brussels! There are around 800 cities where the State does not rule anymore. Police avoid such places since everytime they go there, they get attacked. It started with stones, now they are using guns to shoot at the police. Next it will be with kalachincov (real war guns).
The percentage of Muslims is getting bigger and bigger. I cannot remember the exact %, but within the age range of 10 to 30, people from the immigration, from the second or third generation (people born in France, therefore counted as French, not immigrants) are around 25%. This means that 1 out of 4 young’s belong to the Muslim Oumma!
When the antichrist rises and calls for the Oumma to unify, we can be certain that France and Europe will go through huge troubles. Perhaps even civil wars.
Abba will use Islam as His rod to chastise nations. In Europe, we’re in for a real thread!
We sure have left YHVH a long time ago and have sided with the devil (Islam). We will only get what we deserve.
May Abba send more warriors so that we can pray against the evil powers…
Blessings
Shalom shalom,
FX
March 25th, 2009 at 6:03 am
For clarity, what I have stated is that the Bible emphasizes the ME as the primary region of the AC’s dominion. His Empire is primarily a ten nation coalition from the ME. Other nations will resist his rule, including some from the ME such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I do not believe that he will have absolute and total global dominion, as the totality of the data in the Bible indicates otherwise. I think that there can be no doubt that he will extend the spidery fingers of his authority throughout the earth. But again it is first and foremost regional, and to the extent that it will be global, we cannot know until it happens. But only Jesus will have ultimate complete global dominion. The AC will try, but not succeed. One example Scripturally: remember, Daniel 9:26: “even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.” If the AC ruled the whole earth completely, then there would not be war until the very end, rather there would be peace. But the presence of war indicates that there will be resistor nations right up until the bloody end.
Blessings, Joel
March 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am
So let it be World War 3! FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA DOMINE!
PARCE OVIS TUAE!
DEUS VULT!
Christus Vincit!
Christus Regnat!
Christus Imperat!
Gloria Patris Fili et Spiritu Sancto sicut erat in principium nunc et semper in SAECULA SAECULORUM
AMEN
March 25th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Thanks, Joel. I appreciate you making this clarification (mainly for me) between regional and global influence.
Agreed, Jesus will always have complete reign over the earth upon the earth upon His return. I am sorry if I unintentionally implied otherwise. I guess what I was trying to reconcile in my mind is how cushy Western Christians like myself who have never really been persecuted for my faith will have my faith severely tested, even possibly with my life! I don’t mean an occassionaly disparging comment, which I have had, I mean real testing! A real shaking of the church, I agree w/you that Islam will be the means, but will it reach me in the Midwest of the USA, part of the Bible belt?
I don’t expect you to have the answers because we are not in the prophetic week yet. I just watch w/amazement the lightening speed of increased demand for Sharia finance, and a global currency, if you watched the Pres. press conference last night…demand for a global currency is getting louder b/o the falling USD and how it is truly possible to see how the MOB, and global economics under Sharia fiance i-s p-o-s-s-i-b-l-e!!!!!!
Will it be a reality? I dunno. I just think too much–I just want this age to be over so bady, so Jesus will take is rightful place as the rightful earthly ruler!!!! I just am so sick of all the corruption…and it only gets worse…*sigh*
March 25th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Dear Joel, bonjour !
I think that you are absolutely right!
According to what one can gather from the Scriptures, the antichrist’s kingdom (a conglomerate of 10 nations) will be regional and situated in the Middle East (Turkey/Iraq/Iran area being the epicentre). It does not look like is going to be world wide.
As much as Muslims would love to subdue and convert the whole globe to Islam (the Beast’s religion), I do not think Abba will allow such thing to ever take place!
Having said that, I believe Abba is using Islam as His hammer to chastised nations all around the world. Like He did in the recent past (2001, 2005…)He may allow more terrorist bombings to take place in Western countries.
When the antichrist is on board, his impact will be worldwide, but in my opinion, I believe the intdncity of Jacob’s trouble will be directly linked to the percentage of Muslims in a given country. The more Muslims there are in a given country the harder things will be for Jews and Christians alike. The less percentage of Muslims in a country, the less trouble Jacob will suffer.
With 1 to 3% Muslims in your midst, I do not think you guys in the US have to much to worry about…Compared to what we are seeing taking place right now in Europe (where the percentage vary between 8 to 20% or more).
When theses Muslim get theiçr go-ahead sign by the antichrist, all hell will break loose in Europe…
We’d better get ready for such day may not be too long down the road…
The good new is that we have the victory already!
Baruch Hahsem Yahweh!!!
Blessingd in the wonderful Name of Yeshua.
FX
March 25th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I wonder what “benefits” non-Muslims (ie. Christians and Jews) will lose. In fact, will they even permit Jews to open accounts? Will they start charging their Jizya tax (under a different name presumably)?
March 25th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Greetings FX!
It has been awhile since I have heard from you! Is France lovely in the Spring? I hope so!
You point about persecution by Muslims will be proportionate to their resident population could be relevant. Could that be what Jesus meant as he had the Apostle John dictate letters to the Seven Churches? Perhaps. Interesting possibility, is it not?
Admittedly, the EU has a much larger Muslim population than the USA and the post-Christian European culture has made the infiltration possible. But the US is not far behind as we too are seeing our religious freedoms slipping away if we are not viligant because we live in an open society. Tho’ technically are Muslim population is smaller, we have had news reports, even just yesterday—of closed enclaves of Muslim communities who want little contact w/the locals where they live. They keep to themselves, do not cause trouble, etc. But adamantly do not want prying eyes asking questions about how they live…no one is allowed there who is not part of their community. A version of a cult? Perhaps.
These kind of Muslim communities seem to be everywhere…
unaccounted for, secretative, law abiding for now….they are not like the religious Muslim Mosques…they are very different. What are Americans to think of them, are we to trusting? Perhaps. Tho’ they have not broken American laws, but yet are not available to be interviewed…terrorist camps for the next 9/11? Waiting for al-Mahdi to appear for their next instruction? I don’t mean to sound conspiratorial, but closedness breeds suspicion, especially in law enforcement and Federal investigative agencies…but not much can be done if you don’t break the law. Just like the 9/11 terrorists, they broke no laws, until the deed was done…how do you stop terrorists like that w/in your own country? Ticking time bombs…
So I think Americans will indeed have their own brand of persecution, and as you say, more terrorist attacks in the West, both America and Europe.
March 25th, 2009 at 9:58 am
You know, I always thought ‘ the mark’ would be some kind of tattoo or inserted tracker but I am now convinced that the mark is a spiritual marking. When I saw a video of Walid explaining the 666 as an an Arabic text inserted into the early Greek translation, the scripture really opened up to me. The mark is an allegiance and submission to the entity of ‘Allah’. I feel like I finally understand the meaning. All the speculation about that passage is so crystal clear and all the other prophetic scriptures have been revealed as well.
So in order to buy and sell in the near future you will have to be a MUSLIM. It totally makes sense now… the world has a financial meltdown… Sharia banking comes to the rescue… but with a horrendous price… you must submit and take the mark of allegiance or you won’t be able to eat… but with the privilege of being able to function in this world comes the eternal price… damnation.
There are so many precious muslim people that have no clue how they have been deceived and they truly believe they are on the right path to God. I met many of them in France when we went to give them the Bible and the story of Jesus in their own languages. My heart cries for them but I am comforted that God knows who He will call out of that darkness.
The pieces of the puzzle are coming together with astonishing speed.
Whenever I see an amazing cloud formation… I wonder if this could be the moment…
March 25th, 2009 at 10:46 am
The forehead and hand are often used figuratively in Scripture, and just as the mark of Christ that we are given when sealed is symbolic, I believe the mark of the beast is symbolic as well, not literal.
March 25th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
I’ve heard said this way BigFinn, Joel can weigh in, but it sounds like a Jihadist war cry…here it is:
IN THE NAME OF ALLAH JIHAD!
Now is “666″ really this? I dunno. But it is as good as anything else that has been speculated about. In fact, it makes more sense than wackier stuff that has been bantered about that I won’t bore anyone with.
But as Joel states, Islam will not be globally dominate, does this include shariah banking? But how will the Western church and the general Jewish population of the West feel this refining? Hmmmm….and Joel maybe right we will not know until it is right upon us. Indeed, it is pointless to speculate. God will provide the info when his children need it to “keep out from within the hour.” Know what I mean?
March 25th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Bonjour FX,
Quote: “I live in France where things are even worse than in Brussels! There are around 800 cities where the State does not rule anymore. Police avoid such places since everytime they go there, they get attacked. It started with stones, now they are using guns to shoot at the police. Next it will be with kalachincov (real war guns).”
Same in Germany. A couple of months ago I have seen a German policeman on YouTube (I cannt find it now) talking about how they don’t even enter some parts of Berlin now because there are people having their own rules, their own society and not even the police dares to go there. As far as I remember he didn’t say those people were Muslim (in Germany that usually means Turkish) immigrant areas but it was clear from what he said. It’s incredible how fast Europe is falling to Islam and most people don’t even notice - until it’s too late.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Surely the antichrist is to have complete global rule? Revelation 13:7 says as much: “And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.”
I have heard Chuck Misler also speak about the 666 in Revelation possibly being a mistranslation of an arabic text speaking of Allah and Jihad, that is worn on the right hand and on the head. It’s maybe a bit of a stretch. Related to this, does anyone know why the Left Behind series made adopting this mark an irreversible committment to satan?
England also has had some trouble with no-go areas for non-Muslims but at this current time it is more of a cultural issue rather than anything being enforced. Last year two American missionaries were threatened for evangalising by a Muslim police assistant but he was disciplined for it. But who knows what the future may bring.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Stuart, did you read Joel’s reply?
The Bible verse you quoted from Revelaton maybe using a common biblical expression of hyperbole. This Revelation verse, like other passages are found frequently in the Bible to express a large number, not the entire globe or world. It is hard for us Westerners, we are tempted to take it literally when this was not the author’s intent and is ME thought expression.
(Note to Joel: See! I did listen at your last conference!)
March 25th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
The Antichrist cannot have complete global rule according to Scripture. He is fighting wars and others are fighting him right up until the end. The word “all” refers to those that he has control over, not “all” in the sense of everyone in the whole literal planet. What you’re reading is an example of a synecdoche, it’s a figure of speech that is used often in Scripture, for example:
Luke 2: 1-3: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Acts 2:5: And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
Romans 1:8: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
syn⋅ec⋅do⋅che –noun. — a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part
It’s like saying the whole world watched the Superbowl. Not meant to be taken in a wooden literal sense.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:41 pm
What a comfort to know, that even though horible times are coming during the Tribulation, our Lord has the enemy on the leash.
There’s nothing that Satan can do without God allowing him to do it. Just read Job.
Still, I feel that the reign of the antichrist will be more then just regional. Just look at Revelation 13:3. “And I saw one of his heads as though it were wounded to death, and his deadly wound was healed, and ALL THE WORLD WONDERED AFTER THE BEAST.” And again verse 4 ” And they worshiped the dragon, who gave power unto the beast; and they worshiped the beast saying, Who is like unto the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”
The evil deception will be so strong that if it were posible it would confound the very elect. Have you noticed the renewed interest in “wonders, miracles and the paranormal” sweeping the media? The spirit of the antichrist is even now in the world. People can feel that we are on the brink of something never before experienced.
Oh, may The Lord give us boldness to speak about His Grace, while there’s still day. The night comes when no man can work. May we be instruments quided by His hand to bring peace and joy in people’s hearts; where now is only fear and confusion.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
More examples of synecdoche. The fact that the elect are not deceived is evidence in and of itself that not everyone in the whole literal world worships the Beast. As Joel mentioned earlier it is primarily regional. I am sure however that many Muslims living in Western nations will be problematic, as we are seeing even today.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:14 pm
For what it is worth, I do not ascribe to the 666 Bismallah theory.
March 25th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Joel, may I ask what your stance is regarding “666″?
March 26th, 2009 at 4:26 am
I understand that sometimes reference to the world is limited to a specific region, however the fact that the Holy Spirit chose to include specifically every “kindred, tongue, and nation” in this instance, I believe is His intention to include everybody; it sounds to me like a detailed description to communicate a comprehensiveness, not a manner of speech.
I believe that the wars the antichrist will have to fight will be rebellions. They don’t preclude his absolute authority over the world, which I believe he will have. Don’t forget that the devil is the prince of this world and has all authority over it until Jesus comes back to rule. By this I don’t mean to say that he can do whatever he wants, because we know God places limits on his activities, yet I do believe that his authority covers all the world and all institutions. But when ‘He who restrains’ is taken out of the way, I think satan may have his limits removed for that short time, which is what may make the Tribulation worse than any other period of history.
I also personally believe that antichrist will be given the chance to rule over the whole world so that people will be able to witness between the two extremes of satan’s rule in the Tribulation and Jesus’ rule in the Millenium. God is concerned with making sure that His witnesses are absolute and all inclusive, and He will be witnessing of the full consequences of both sin and righteousness during these two periods, so that when we all come before the judgement seat at the end of time sinners and saints alike will not be able to contest His verdict. God doesn’t have to justify His actions, but the Bible shows that He is concerned with always doing so.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Mitchell,
What it will be specifically is still a mystery to me. I believe it will be intimately tied to the creed of Islam, but the Arabic 666 theory is not “it”. It could be a hint, but it is not the primary solution. The type pf Greek that was used in the first four hundred years of the Church does not match the kind of Greek that resembles the Arabic name for Allah. The resemblance is interesting but it is not what John saw and passed on.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:16 am
I am doing more speculating here…always a danger in eschatology school.
The 666 marker may not be known until the “man of sin” is literally and physically reveal in the world. Making him (AC) and “666″ opaque until his time has arrived; if it were sooner then an asssination attempt could be successful. It just may be unknowable until we are in the 70th week and the person of the AC will be hidden from the church, until the time of shaking. Just thoughts…
March 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Fully dominating or attempting to fully dominate the whole world aren’t necessarily different things. The whole world 2000 years ago or 4000 years ago is not the same as the whole world today.
I don’t expect total 100% global domination to be achieved but it won’t stop the Beast from trying. I agree that some nations will resist or rebel, it will be global domination under the Beast that they are resisting or rebelling against.
Who is like the Beast? Who can make war against him? The whole world, all nations, will have to decide to follow or fight.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:33 am
What I was taught about “666″ was that it represents the rebellion of mankind against God. 6 being the number of man and three being the number of perfection, so 666 means “we (human) are perfect and we need no God”. But it’s just a theory of course.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Greetings everyone! Thank you all for the excellent posts…
Joel, Walid’s description (in your book ‘God’s War on Terror’) of the Creed of Islam or Bismallah (or Basmalah, Arabic) relates it to another term for Beelzebub. They (Islam ‘warriors’) wear “the badge of Islam” on their arm or forehead as sign of allegiance. The symbolism suggests there will be some sort of ’sign’ worn by those in allegiance to A/C or mahdi to indicate his army of sorts. Whether it’s literally the # or not, who’s to imagine. Just as mentioned above, we will all see it revealed when A/C makes his move to reign. Interesting though how the Pope always had that exact symbol (666) on his hat…I always wondered about that one!!
Shalom to all, in the Name above ALL NAMES ~ Jesus the Christ!
March 27th, 2009 at 3:05 am
Suzy - I had thought about that myself (about 666), right after reading about the tower of Babel during a Bible study on Revelation that I was doing at the time. We were reading about Babylon the Great, and I wanted to go back and read about the tower to see if I could gain any insight.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Hi Joel,
Just curious about why the ‘two-state solution’ topic crashed and burned. Were you hacked?
March 27th, 2009 at 11:32 am
Since Michael (K) started the O/T subjects…
Joel, I think it is realistic of you to start a “Preparedness” category and how appropriate to start w/such a site about global oil shortages. As depressing as this site is, it may be valid to see how the first 3.5 years of the prophetic week could fit this scenerio and war gamed. We are foolish not to look at such possibilities for survival during this unprecedented time.
In fact, author Joel, helping the church do just that would be a valuable “book” resource. *wink*
March 27th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I think Islamic Banking is just a passing fad. There is no way Islamic banking will be able to gain large share of the global banking system and in particular the West. In any case of much control do these Islamic clerics have over the actually banks essentially zero. All they do is govern what is permissble and what is not. And in many instances ‘non-Islamic banks’ offer sharia compliant services so in the end some Islamic banks are owned by non Muslims.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
good4U,
Working on it.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Note to Joel:
March 27th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
Michael,
Its back up. I have a spam virus of sorts that sometimes deletes topics, until I go in and fix them. I will be fixing it permanently soon.
March 27th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Joel & Mitchell,
I’ve also read Walid’s theory on 666, and I agree that while it seems interesting and even compelling at first blush, I’m not sure you can hang your hat on it.
Another idea occurs to me here. The riddle in 13:18 says the answer will call for a mind with “wisdom”. I think that may be an indication that the answer must be provided by God alone. Just as Daniel was given the wisdom to interpret dreams only when the need became necessary, perhaps we’ll have the answer to this one only when it becomes necessary.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
I agree Michael, I said as much in another thread in “Sharia Fiance overcoming Europe.” As tempting as it is for man to wanna know regarding the “666″ Revelation riddle, it will probably remain opaque until just before the ‘man of sin’ is to be revealed. I just don’t think it is knowable as a result of the divine purpose of God until it is necessary. Frankly, I think it is futile and when the church needs to know, God will allow the 666 mystery to be unveiled, but not before. Not one minute sooner, not one minute later…so we should concentrate on the things we can and should know…like how to educate the church and prepare the elect.
March 27th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Man, it is late…I’ve looked a too many threads…sorry, if the above was redundant…
March 27th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Michael K, interesting point regarding wisdom and “666″. I think that it is a figurative mark though, and not literal.
Fyi, for those interested here are comparisons pics re: Shoebat’s theory: http://makofthebeast.blogspot.com/
March 28th, 2009 at 5:09 am
Mitchell,
I put together that little blog spot. As I said, it is interesting and could be a hint from the Lord, but it is not the primary solution. Let me explain in better detail. For at least the first four hundred years of the Church / New Testament, they did not even use the cursive and lowercase Greek seen in those images that resemble Arabic. What they used was called Uncial Greek. This is more like Capital Block letters compared to cursive and was fully written out. So instead of cursive 666, it would be SIX HUNDRED AND SIXTY SIX. So it is impossible that John saw the Arabic font and wrote that out. It wouldn’t have made any sense to the readers. They didn’t even use that kind of Greek yet.
http://www.oasischristianchurch.org/air/666_manuscript.jpg
March 28th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Joel,
Thanks for that explanation. I went to the link and I understand your point, and am inclined to agree with you.
Just for kicks though, just as the Greek has changed, how has Arabic changed over this same time period? Specifically, would 1st century Arabic create a wider or narrower variation with the ‘666′ lettering when compared with 1st century Greek?
(this is the stuff that keeps me up at night!)
March 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Joel, that is a good point, and it could still be a hint like you said somehow. It would make sense imo that since those sealed with the mark of Christ have the name of God written in/on their foreheads that those with the mark of the Beast could possibly have a name written in/on their foreheads as well. But who knows, it could just simply be symbolic of allegiance and whom they worship.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Mind you Mitchell, I fully believe that it will be intimately connected to Islam and what Walid and I presented in God’s War is far closer than anything to date. But it is still just shy.
March 28th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I agree brother, no doubt in my mind that it will certainly be connected with Islam.
July 16th, 2009 at 8:27 am
to all,
who cares about the 1st religion in world? (economy?!?).
Sharia is an alternative banking framework, why there aren’t purple banks?
about 666… I’m not theologist but I read sometimes ago that the 666 comes from inside church?!?!
It’s a psych-war campaign, a never ending relationship with a brutal reality that you are unaware, protected till now by the secular walls of divine bunkers, convents and monasteries as well by moral corrupted monarchies and democracies…
Are you afraid of your usefullless guard angels? my demons have devoured many years ago, mine!
You all talk as if the world should be purple and moralia was resident in bible. Who needs moral franchising?!? from whom? where are your loudly voices when the world faces Guantanamo, messianic wars in Afeganistan, Iraq or even child sexual abuses in church?!? do you admit as admissible, missionaries destroying cultures in Africa, South-america, elsewhere?!?
Are you playing god or Harry Potter?!?