In fairness, the following critique is contributed by another brother to point out that there are disparate views within the brotherhood of the significance of the events we see unfolding in the Middle East. This is not done, however, in an effort to undermine the fact that we all expect the soon return of our Lord.
The Foundation thesis of the article is that Islam = Beast Problems with the thesis:
- The Beast of Revelation 12, then 13 is undoubtedly linked to the Daniel’s 4th Beast in chapter 7.
It is impossible for Islam to fit this link historically since it had no ties
to Rome or the Roman empire at the time the 4th Beast came into power.
Further, the latter day portion of Daniel 7 must be compatible with the latter day portion of the Beast in
Revelation — again, Islam does not fit this compatibility test.
The author jumps in at Dan 7:7-8 and applies this to Islam, but where is the link to the 3rd Beast and to the 4th section of the image in Daniel 2? Daniel 2 and 7 must be seen together. - Islam does not fit the geographical or historical identification of the Gogian host in Ezekiel 38.
- While it is true some Islamic nations will be involved in the attack against Israel and Jerusalem, this does not
- warrant the conclusion that Islam must therefore be the Beast.
- The Beast is linked to the Great Harlot/Babylon (Rome) in Revelation 17 and ridden by Babylon, the city which not only had dominion over the kings of the earth in John’s day, but also holds a dominant position in the last days. The thesis would require Islam and Catholicism not only to join forces, but for the Vatican to play a governing role over Islam in the last days — does the author really believe such to be a sign of the times that we should look for?
- The Catholics would welcome this interpretation because it eliminates any involvement of the Papacy with the prophecies in Daniel 7 in which the Papacy is condemned by God for having made war on the saints for 1260 years; the author rightly links the prophecies of Daniel 7 regarding the 4th Beast and the little horn with the corresponding prophecies in Revelation 13, but then applies all to Islam.
- If the 4th Beast is Islam as well as the little horn, who were the first three Beasts? Who were the first three metals of the image in Daniel 2? All the parts of prophecy must hang together. The author has sectioned out just the 4th Beast and attempted to apply an interpretation that leaves the 4th Beast completely disconnected from Beasts 1-3.
- Of great concern is that the author has adopted Christianity’s mistaken view that there is a 31/2 year period at the time of the end for the Beast to rule. This aligns closely with the teaching of a future antichrist and again removes all responsibility from the Church; this interpretation will encourage Christadelphians to look for a future Beast and fail to recognize the false system that Paul in 2 Thessalonians and John in Revelation state has plagued the world since the first century.
- The author’s views on future events in Revelation is also evidenced in his application of Revelation 8,9 and 16 to judgments Jesus will bring upon his return as well as his application of Rev 11:2 and 13:5 to future events. Many would apply all these to events already fulfilled.
Finally: All the pieces must tie together. Without this, we have no clear and consistent view, only a series of jigsaw pieces.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One