Unconditional Surrender

While Europe wallowed in the Dark Ages after the fall of the Roman Empire, the followers of Muhammad excelled in science, astronomy, mathematics and medicine, and expanded their influence across Asia, Africa and even into Europe.

With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, the forces of Islam fell behind the European powers that came to world dominance in the eighteenth century. Today, the United States, Europe and indeed most of the industrialized nations are the prisoners of their own mercantile economies, upon which they depend for prosperity. Commerce and industry around the world are almost totally reliant on Middle East oil, controlled by nations where Islam dominates.

Europe's Roman Catholics have fought Islam's expansion, on and off, since the fall of the Byzantine Empire. From the Crusades of the Middle Ages, through today's Iraq war, Western troops have contended against Muslim forces in and around Jerusalem. In recent years, militant forces of Islam – though lacking the military resources to mount a conventional war against Western adversaries – have struck back with great power through terrorist guerilla tactics fueled by religious fervor.

Today's radical Islamists have three goals. First, they seek control of Middle East oil reserves. Second, they hope to use this powerful economic lever to overthrow the state of Israel and seize control of Jerusalem. Third, they hope to lead a united Muslim front in converting the whole world to Islam, by sword and fire if need be.

Geographically and historically close to the problem, many Europeans recognize the danger, but the continent is not yet unified to the point where it can take decisive action. The United States and Britain, on the other hand, have taken some action. yet do not seem to fully comprehend the enormity of the danger.

While American's soldiers stand in the breach in Afghanistan and Iraq, frittering away blood and treasure, the radical Islamists continue to gain and consolidate their political and religious support across the Muslim world. Increasingly, we will see Arab governments friendly to the West being replaced by more radical anti-Western rulers, either through democratic elections or through violent uprisings.

The Bible foretells that as the British-descended nations decline in power, a united Europe will step into the spotlight on the world stage. "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast" (Revelation 17:12-13, NIV). The combined might of Europe's military will sweep away the coming Islamic super state. "At the time of the end the king of the [Islamic] South shall attack him; and the king of the North [a united Roman Catholic Europe] shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter the countries, overwhelm them, and pass through. He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown…. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape" (Daniel 11:40-43).

The forces of Islam will not ultimately prevail against the non-Muslim peoples of the world. But radical Islam's present actions are the catalyst that will eventually bring about its own destruction, setting the stage for the establishment of the Kingdom of God under Jesus Christ here on the earth. Our Father in heaven will accept nothing short of unconditional surrender from those powers opposing Christ at His coming.

"If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God" (Hebrews 10:26-28, NIV).

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