Good or Evil?

So much has been discussed about the Biblical views of end-time Apocalyse. Even those who have probably never opened a Bible have heard the terms Anti-Christ, the infamous number 666, and the Mark of the Beast. However in Islam there are also prophecies in the book they consider to be most holy, the Quran. The reason I feel these prophecies are too important to be ignored, even in the Christian community, is due to their possible relevance in current events, as well as the end-time future. What is striking about the prophecies in both books are their astouding similarities and stark contrasts.

In both the Bible and the Quran, there is a world leader described who will arise who will unite the world under one government and religion. He will be the most powerful man that ever lived. He will mesmerize the world with great signs and wonders. Though the world leader is described in the same way, there is one difference that will make all of the difference in the world. The world leader in the Bible is seen as an evil man who will persecute many, while the Quran's world leader is seen as the savior of the world.

Muslims are waiting for a world leader called the Mahdi. Iran's president Ahmadinejad has stated that it is his duty to continue his nuclear program in preparation for the Mahdi's appearance. However, while the Biblical scriptures warns its readers that this man is empowered by Satan himself, the Quran depicts this man as the Messiah, and demands allegiance. This Mahdi is the one portrayed in the end-time prophecies in Islam. It is even believed by many that the same rider of the white horse described in the book of Revelation in the Bible, is the great Mahdi.

You can't straddle the fence

In both accounts, this great leader will convince most people in the world to follow him. There will be no straddling the fence. You will either pledge your allegiance to this man or denounce him. This is not a decision to be made lightly either. The Biblical accounts state that if you receive the mark of this man, which means you have declared your allegiance to him, you will be irrevocably headed to eternal judgement. The Islamic prophecies proclaim that anyone who doesn't follow this man will not only be persecuted on earth, but also destined for Hell.

Which decision will you make?

Many prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled with 100% accuracy. These are very specific prophecies that were written hundreds and some thousands of years before they happened. I have heard skeptics say that no man can know the future before it happens. That is so true and exactly the point. Only God, who is outside of time, knows the future. The Lord spoke these words through His prophets and told us as a warning of the things that are to happen. With a 100% batting average, is there any logical reason to believe that the rest of the prophecies will not come to pass also? Where will you stand? Your eternal future depends on your answer.

To compare the prophecies of Islam and the Bible: http://answering-islam.org.uk/Authors/JR/Future/index.htm