“the Rise Of The Caliphate” Series

The Islamic State: What You Need To Know (3 Part Series)

“The Rise of the Caliphate” 1 of 3

April 12, 2015 CFBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction:

A The “War on Terror” began after 9/11 and in the years between 2001-2014, we’ve funded two wars fighting terrorism, Iraq & Afghanistan.

1 We’ve spent nearly $1.5 trillion in these two wars; lost 4,488 U.S. soldiers in Iraq & 32,226 were wounded.

a In the 14 years being fighting the “War on Terror” against fanatical Islam, are we seeing its demise or its resurgence.

aa For years the only group seen as our primary threat was al-Qaeda and our chief enemy was Osama bin Laden.

bb Last year, in just a matter of weeks, a group calling themselves the Islamic State captured the world headlines. (We don’t even hear about al-Qaeda anymore)

b For the next three weeks we will learn about ISIS from . . .

aa Geo-political view

bb their theological stance (Salafism form of the Sunni branch of Islam)

cc Their history (how they formed, who their leaders are)

dd The goal of ISIS (Establish a global Caliphate that establishes Sharia Law, lead by one Caliph, under the authority of Mahdi)

ee The future of ISIS according to the Scripture

2 Every week for the last 9 years, at least one of my boys have brought home a vocabulary book.

a They learn about 20 words a week, how to use them, what the words mean so they can understand them.

b Over the next three weeks I’ll give you a vocabulary lesson at the front of the message to help understand better what’s going from a Christian’s perspective.

aa My goal is give you the knowledge to watch/read the news, but to understand what it all means.

bb Why? ISIS has vowed to fly their flag over the White House in Washington D.C. . . encouraging our young people to come join them (many have, many are trying) . . .ISIS wants to kill Christians . . . OR make you serve Allah.

c Sermons on loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, filled with the Spirit, living in the Power of the Holy Ghost are important . . . but this kind of message also has its place and it’s time . . . now is the time.

aa An Islamic State spokesman claims, “We will conquer your Rome, break your crosses, and enslave your women. If we do not reach that time, then our children and grandchildren will reach it, and they will see yours sons as slaves at the slave market.”

bb This isn’t a quote from the 7th or 8th century. . . it was spoken in the last 7 or 8 months.

B To understand ISIS we must understand the buzz words that we’re probably unfamiliar with what they mean.

1 Vocabulary List

a Caliphate: A form of an Islamic government that enforces Sharia Law.

aa Sharia Law is based up the Quran & the Sunnah & covers how a Muslim is expected to live out their faith, marriages, economics, military, criminal punishment.

bb The Quran is the infallible word of Allah and was written over a 23 year period by Muhammad, beginning in 609 AD.

cc The Sunnah is a written account of the life & example of Muhammad.

dd Jihad means “struggle”, “Holy War”, it is the responsibility of all Muslims to engage in Jihad, overcome their foes/infidels, and we’re familiar with its manifestations in beheadings, systematic execution of Christians, burying Christian women & children alive, burning of their victims, suicide bombers.

dd Caliph is the man who leads the Caliphate. He is considered to be the political & religious successor to the prophet Muhammad and a leader of the entire Muslim community.

ee Allah is the god of Islam who is considered by Muslims to be the creator of the universe, all powerful, and omnipresent. He is the moon god of ancient pagan Arabs. Allah is NOT the God of the OT & NT.

b IS, ISIS, ISIL: Islamic State, Islamic State of Iraq & Syria, Islamic State of Iraq & Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant respectively. (These names are used for the most part interchangeably.)

aa Levant is the a crescent moon shaped land bridge from Egypt to Turkey (covers parts of/or entirely the nations of Israel, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Turkey, and Egypt.

bb In my opinion, the reason why the present Administration calls ISIS ISIL is that it is declaring an Islamic State exists from Iran to Egypt, thereby denying Israel even exists and is intentionally positing America as an enemy of Israel.

c People who study end times prophecy have always wondered why there is no mention of America coming to aid of Israel when the Gog & Magog attack The Land (Ezekiel 38/39).