Islam

Thursday Watchdog: Eye On The Middle East

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Here are three of the most significant current headlines from the Middle East.

Remember Matthew 24:6-7

And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Israel launches strikes in southern Lebanon after evacuation warning The Israeli military carried out targeted strikes in southern Lebanon after issuing evacuation orders for the village of Mansouri, saying Hezbollah had violated the existing ceasefire. The strikes came as Israeli and Lebanese officials resumed U.S.-mediated talks in Rome aimed at advancing an agreement involving Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah’s disarmament. (Reuters)

Iran and Oman move closer to reopening the Strait of Hormuz Iran and Oman announced progress on an agreement to reopen shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit routes. Negotiations remain tied to broader U.S.-Iran discussions, while regional tensions continue to affect global energy markets. (The Guardian)

Israel-Lebanon negotiations continue despite renewed fighting Israeli forces remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon while negotiators prepare for another round of talks in Rome under a U.S.-brokered framework. The discussions seek to reduce border tensions and establish longer-term security arrangements even as sporadic military action continues. (AP News)

    Saturday Watchdog: The Only Crown That Matters

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Today’s headlines are once again dominated by the White House and Tehran. The conflict between the United States and Iran continues to escalate, with new military strikes, retaliation, and fears of a wider regional war filling every news feed pretty much every day.
    CNN

    Every generation obsesses over who sits in the palace, the parliament, or the Oval Office. People act like the next election, the next revolution, or the next regime change will finally fix humanity. It won’t

    Governments rise and fall. Kings and Queens die, and Presidents leave office. Supreme Leaders get replaced by Regular Old Leaders pretending they are supreme. And all the while the human heart remains desperately wicked and filled with pride, greed, violence, and brokenness.

    The Bible points us to a different King. One who is surely coming to set things right.

    “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 3:20 (KJV)

    That doesn’t mean we ignore politics or world events. Christians should care about justice and pray for leaders. But our ultimate hope isn’t in whoever occupies the White House or the palace in Tehran. Our hope is in the return of the King of Kings, who won’t campaign for righteousness—He’ll establish it forever.

    Until then, don’t let headlines rule your heart and mind. Do what you can within your sphere of influence to be God’s image bearer and add value to His creation.

    Thursday Watchdog: More Middle East Messiness

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    Picture via Lara Jameson pexels.com

    U.S. Launches New Strikes on Iranian Military Targets After Hormuz Shipping Attacks

    Following Iranian-linked attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the United States carried out a broad wave of strikes against Iranian military infrastructure, while both sides accused each other of violating previous agreements. Oil prices jumped and fears of a wider regional war intensified.
    AP

    Always keep in mind that Jeshua, our Messiah, warned us that “wars and rumours of wars” would characterize this age until He returns. By the way, we’ve been living in the last days since His resurrection and ascension.

    Israel Continues Operations in Southern Lebanon Despite Diplomatic Pressure

    Hezbollah attacks against Northern Israel and Israeli military operations against Hezbollah-linked targets have continued in southern Lebanon even amid renewed diplomatic efforts, keeping tensions high along Israel’s northern border.
    The Guardian

    Every new ceasefire seems destined to fail sooner rather than later and humanity keeps proving the Bible right about the brokenness of the human heart. Come, Lord Jesus.

    Iran Holds Funeral for Former Supreme Leader While New Leadership Signals Defiance

    Millions participated in funeral events for Iran’s former Supreme Leader, while Iran’s new leadership used the occasion to emphasize resistance against the United States and Israel and project strength despite recent military losses.
    Reuters

    Regimes rise, rulers fall, and history keeps moving—but God’s kingdom isn’t waiting for the next election or revolution. Let’s not overly concerns ourselves with who occupies the palace in Tehran or the White House; rather, lets make certain our hearts are turning toward the King of Kings and His return to establish righteousness—forever.

    Tuesday Watchdog Alert: The End Is Not Yet

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    Iran is in full shake‑mode right now. After the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the regime is scrambling to project strength while religious hardliners push Twelver Shi’ism’s apocalyptic storyline back into the spotlight.

    Senior clerics and the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of the late Ali Khamenei, remain the religious leaders in Iran, but behind the scenes the IRGC is basically running the show. The Conversation

    Twelver Shi’ism teaches that the “Hidden Imam” will return during a time of global chaos — and some regime voices have historically framed conflict as a way to speed things up. That belief isn’t fringe inside Iran’s power circles; it’s baked into decades of rhetoric and political theater.

    Internally, Iran is in turmoil, which only adds to the volatility in region.

    This is exactly why Scripture warns us not to freak out when nations shake. “Nation will rise against nation… but the end is not yet.” — Matthew 24:6

    So What?

    Don’t doomscroll. Pick one global headline, read it from two different sources, and practice spotting the difference between facts and fear. That’s how rebels stay sharp.

    Saturday Watchdog Alert: Supporting Israel Doesn’t Need to Be Complicated

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    Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

    A wild idea: what if supporting Israel didn’t require a seminary degree, a prophecy chart, or a 12‑week Bible study on the End Times?

    What if it’s as simple as this: they’re a free, modern democracy in a rough neighborhood, and friends stick with friends when things get loud. You don’t need a burning bush to get behind that.

    The Bible actually backs up the idea of standing with friends and allies, especially when the world around them is chaos. You don’t have to be religious to get that. You just have to have common sense.

    Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

    Sticking by long-time friends who need us isn’t “Zionist” or “anti-Islam”; it’s the right thing to do. And Israel isn’t just a long-time friend of the USA—Israel is a geopolitical and strategic partner in a violent, dark, and unpredictable world.

    Thursday Watchdog Alert: Prophecy Junkies

    Rick Tryon1 Comment

    Iran. Israel. Hezbollah. Gaza. Houthi missiles. “Wars and rumors of wars.” Sound familiar?

    This week alone, headlines focused on escalating Iran-Israel tensions, renewed Hezbollah activity, and political leaders openly using end-times language while discussing war in the Middle East. – The Guardian

    And yes — many Christians immediately start flipping to Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation.

    But the Bible never told believers to panic. It told us to pay attention.

    Jesus said:

    “See that ye be not troubled.” — Matthew 24:6

    That’s the part many prophecy junkies conveniently skip while trying to turn every missile launch into a fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

    Could current events connect to biblical prophecy? Maybe. The Middle East has always mattered in the biblical storyline, and nations like Persia (modern Iran) do appear in prophetic passages Christians have debated for centuries.

    But prophecy isn’t meant to turn Christians into bunker-dwelling doom addicts. It’s supposed to wake us up spiritually.

    The real issue is this: while nations rage, millions of ordinary people — including Christians trapped in conflict zones — are suffering, afraid, and searching for hope.

    So instead of obsessing over timelines and hashtags, let’s try this:

    Pray for persecuted believers. Open our Bibles instead of rage-scrolling. And shine light into a world addicted to darkness and chaos.

    Because whether Christ returns tomorrow or 100 years from now, our mission today remains exactly the same.

    Tuesday Watchdog Alert: When Politics Tries to Play Prophet

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    Iran’s ruling clerics don’t just talk politics — some openly talk apocalypse.

    Recent reporting highlighted how hardline Iranian leaders and Revolutionary Guard figures continue using “Mahdist” language — the belief that chaos, war, and resistance against global powers can help prepare the way for the return of the Hidden Imam, or Mahdi. Analysts warn this ideology is becoming more central inside Iran’s leadership culture.

    “Clerical figures aligned with the Guard have made their views explicit. As Hojatoleslam Ali Saeedi, formerly the Supreme Leader’s representative to the IRGC, said in a 2012 speech: ‘The IRGC is one of the tools for paving the way for the emergence of the Imam of the Age [Mahdi] in the field of a regional and international awakening.’ “- From the Hungarian Conservative

    In plain English? Some leaders believe global conflict is not a problem to avoid — it’s a stage to set. That should wake people up.

    The Bible warned long ago that rulers and nations would chase power through deception, fear, and spiritual blindness. Christians aren’t called to panic over every headline, but we are called to recognize when political movements start sounding like counterfeit salvation stories.

    Our Lord already told us who wins history.

    “See that no one leads you astray.” — Matthew 24:4

    The world keeps looking for a warrior-politician, a system, or an ideology to save humanity. But broken people cannot build heaven on earth with missiles, propaganda, or “holy” revolutions. That usually just creates more graves.

    And honestly, if your end-times plan requires nukes and chaos to “help God out,” maybe rethink the strategy.

    The real Kingdom of God will come with great power and glory when Jesus Christ returns, but that won’t be according to man’s timetable — and it won’t be by any manufactured apocalypse.

    So what?
    Today, spend 10 minutes reading Matthew 24 and praying for discernment. Don’t let headlines shape your worldview more than Scripture does.

    Thursday Watchdog Alert: Rumors Of Peace, Rumors Of War

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    The Middle East is on fire again. Iran tensions are escalating, missile threats are growing, and global powers are scrambling to avoid a wider war. Meanwhile, Islamic extremism keeps dragging entire populations into cycles of fear and violence.

    Rumors of a peace deal, then back to rumors of war the very next day.

    So… is this biblical prophecy?

    Maybe. Maybe not exactly the way YouTube prophecy gurus with blurry thumbnails claim every Tuesday night.

    But Jesus did say: “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars… nation will rise against nation.” — Matthew 24:6-7

    The point of prophecy was never “guess the date.” The point was: wake up. This world is fragile. Human governments cannot save us. And every missile launch reminds us we desperately need a King greater than Caesar, presidents, ayatollahs, or influencers with ring lights.

    Here’s what should concern Christians most: global conflict always squeezes ordinary believers caught in the middle. Churches shrink underground. Fear rises. Hope fades. Yet historically, Christianity often grows strongest where comfort dies.

    Funny how humans keep trying to build heaven without God… and accidentally create another dumpster fire instead.

    Pray for Christians trapped in conflict zones. Read Matthew 24 slowly. Then do one bold thing this week that brings light instead of outrage—encourage someone, help someone, or share your faith without apology. The world has enough heat. Be light.

    And remember this: There will be no peace absent the Prince of Peace.

    The Twelfth Imam Is A Counterfeit Jesus Christ

    Rick TryonLeave a comment

    Shia Islam has a doctrine known as Twelver Shi‘ism.

    According to this doctrine, the Twelfth Imam entered ghaybah (occultation) — a state of divine concealment — in the 9th century. He is considered to be still alive and will one day return as the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will establish global justice.

    There is only one man who has died and been resurrected to live forevermore — Jesus Christ.

    There is only one man who will one day return as King of kings and Lord of lords to “establish global justice” — Jesus Christ.

    Those making similar claims about any other person who has ever lived are dealing in counterfeit spiritual currency.

    What Is Twelver Shi‘ism?

    Rick Tryon1 Comment

    Twelver Shi‘ism (the dominant Shia branch in Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, and elsewhere) teaches that there are twelve divinely appointed Imams. The line ends with the Twelfth Imam, also called the Hidden Imam or al‑Mahdi, who is believed to be alive but concealed by God until the appointed time.

    What Twelver Shi‘ism Actually Teaches

    Twelver Shia Muslims believe that God appointed a line of twelve Imams, beginning with Ali and ending with Muhammad ibn al‑Hasan al‑Mahdi, born around 870 CE. According to this doctrine, the Twelfth Imam entered ghaybah (occultation) — a state of divine concealment — in the 9th century. He is considered still alive and will one day return as the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will establish global justice.