Home > Good News, Theology and Eschatology > Dr. John MacArthur Now Teaches the ‘Islamic End-Time Paradigm’, not the ‘Revived Roman Empire’

Dr. John MacArthur Now Teaches the ‘Islamic End-Time Paradigm’, not the ‘Revived Roman Empire’

03/27/2011 Leave a comment Go to comments

Daniel 12:4, “But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Some teachers of Bible prophecy still stubbornly insist that the number one persecutor of Christians will suddenly become a “Revived Roman Empire”. Does it stand to reason that the immense rising tide of Christian persecution we are seeing perpetrated by Islamic extremism today — an anti-Semitic and anti-Christian ideology and set of religious laws that has taken nearly 1400 years to expand to where it has today — will one day and without warning be eclipsed by the rule of some adored, charismatic leader of a yet-to-be-seen new-and-improved European Union virtually overnight?

Though I would argue against the idea of a ‘7 year tribulation’ that some teachers still ascribe to, it is good to see more and more pastors such as John MacArthur beginning to teach the “Islamic End-Time Paradigm” and not the traditional “Revived Roman Empire” position.  Eyes are being opened, and prophetic knowledge is increasing indeed …

Excerpt: “As you get to the end of human history and you get into the period of time of the tribulation, there is a specific fulfillment of this prophecy that I want you to understand, and it has to do with Islam.  Most people think of Islam as an utterly distinct religion from Christianity with no connection to Christianity … there are many religions that have no connections to Christianity … The Muslim ‘Jesus’ plays a crucial role in Islamic eschatology … the Muslims have an eschatology, in other words they have a ‘theology of the end’ [and] they know where they’re going according to their writings … let me describe the Muslim ‘Jesus’ to you …”

Update:  Looks like YouTube now believes that the truth about radical Islam should be called “hate speech.” Feel free to download the MP3 here and listen to Dr. John MacArthur’s full sermon.  The truth may set you free, even if it offends YouTube.

For those interested in this topic, you may also be interested in some of the articles listed on the Theology and Eschatology page, particularly:


—
Update 2:  Another video is here that YouTube didn’t remove … yet:

Update 3:  Third time’s a charm …

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tnxpd3M2fyU&pp=ygUUSm9obiBtYWNhcnRodXIgaXNsYW0%3D

Categories: Good News, Theology and Eschatology
  1. Marcy
    04/17/2011 at 10:35 PM
    Reply

    This was a portion of an end-times sermon and is not the sermon in its entirety. John MacArthur was making a side-by-side comparison here between false Islamic eschatology and true Biblical eschatology. Dr. MacArthur was showing how the Islamic beliefs about the end-times somewhat mirror what the Bible says. He was not promoting an Islamic Antichrist. In the complete sermon, he makes it clear that this is one of the many deceptions that will be used in the end-times. I suggest people listen to the complete sermon (http://www.gty.org/Resources/Sermons/41-66_The-Grim-Reality-of-the-Last-Days) before making blanket statements or criticizing Dr. MacArthur.

    Like

    • Anonymous
      09/09/2011 at 5:31 AM
      Reply

      part one removed ? lol imagine that

      Like

  2. ICA
    04/17/2011 at 10:53 PM
    Reply

    And he is absolutely correct, Marcy. Islam and Islamic “prophecy” is definitely one of the many deceptions in the end-times. As I, too, concluded in my commentary on Revelation 13:

    “In closing, allow me to say this: Islamic ‘prophecy’ is false. It is nothing more than Islamists taking true Biblical prophecy and then turning it on its head so that it is pro-Islam, and anti-Judeo/Christian. In doing so Islamists make radical Muslims out to be the ‘good guys’ and the Jews and Christians out to be the ‘bad guys’. But we must not dismiss the river that is raging in the undercurrents of Islamic eschatology. Its banks are about to burst and what we must take into consideration is not the fact that Islamic ‘prophecy’ is false and void of Divine inspiration, but rather the fact that they BELIEVE that it is true and that their destiny is Divinely appointed. Because of this belief they will in turn interpret events on the world stage in accordance to this way of thinking, as fulfillment and proof that the ‘prophecies’ of Islam are true. They have done exactly that with the restoration of Israel in 1948 (see here) and will continue to do so, driven into action against the Judeo/Christian world they believe to be the ‘Dar al-harb’ — House of War. As the analogy goes, the stage is now set. Indeed, the ‘props’ are in position. The ‘characters’ are in full costume. And the world is watching in attendance. All that remains now is for the Director to say ‘Action.'”

    As Dr. MacArthur says during the sermon (starting at around the 32 minute mark), “There always are false prophets, always false teachers, we know that, always people who claim to be Jesus … but as you get to the end of human history and you get into the period of time called the Tribulation, there is a specific fulfillment of this prophecy [of Matthew 24:5,11] that I want you to understand. And it has to do with Islam.”

    Now listen to his description of the Mahdi starting at around the 39 minute mark. After describing the Mahdi of Islam, at 42:38 Dr. MacArthur then summarizes by saying the following: “Let me summarize. [According to Islamic teaching] The Mahdi will be a messianic figure. He will be a descendant of Mohammed. He will be an unparalleled or unequaled leader. He will come out of a crisis of turmoil. He will take control of the world. He will establish a New World Order. He will destroy all who resist him. He will invade many nations. He will make a 7-year peace treaty with the Jews. He will conquer Israel and massacre the Jews. He will establish Islamic world headquarters at Jerusalem. He will rule for 7 years, establish Islam as the only religion. He will come on a white horse with supernatural power. He will be loved by all people on earth. If that sounds familiar, that is a precise description of the Biblical Antichrist. Absolutely step, by step, by step, by step. The Bible’s Antichrist is their Mahdi.”

    With respect to your statement that Dr. MacArthur “was not promoting an Islamic Antichrist”, I’ve listened to the rest of the sermon very closely. My question for you is this: Where does Dr. MacArthur say that he is not promoting an Islamic Antichrist? Everything that I have heard in this sermon suggests otherwise.

    In fact, from 49:27 onward he addresses the ‘Revived Roman Empire’ theory by saying the following: “Now, somebody might say, ‘You know when you think about the future and what’s gonna happen in the world, don’t we have a Revived Roman Empire? Doesn’t that mean the West?’ You remember that the image in Daniel 2 of the final world empire had two legs, and the Roman Empire had the West and the East? You know of course if you know history that the western part of the Roman Empire basically dissolved and the East survived for a thousand years, or more, so that at the time of the New Testament 60% of the Roman Empire was land that is now under Muslim control. At least 60%. The vast majority of the Roman Empire in New Testament times is today under Muslim control, and Islam is moving across the West rapidly in Europe …”

    Like

  3. ICA
    05/16/2011 at 8:49 PM
    Reply

    New YouTube link added …

    Like

  4. Obsessive Reader
    07/11/2011 at 4:26 PM
    Reply

    I think quite a few teachers are coming to the same conclusions on Islam. The old ideas are likely very wrong when we look at what is happening in the world today.

    Like

  5. indielogic
    09/30/2011 at 4:27 PM
    Reply

    You Tube blocked the upper video, is there anywhere else I can view it, not on YouTube’s Big brother screen?

    Like

  6. ICA
    09/30/2011 at 4:30 PM
    Reply

    The second video is the exact same as the upper video. I just left it there to show that YouTube removed it after calling it ‘hate speech’.

    Like

  7. ICA
    09/01/2012 at 7:52 PM
    Reply

    Video of John’s MacArthur’s sermon:

    Like

  8. questforthebest
    11/12/2012 at 10:35 AM
    Reply

    Revelation 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”

    In years past I could never understand that “beheadings” would be the choice of those killing Christians. Then, after seeing Radical Islam and how they use beheadings, it all came together. In the days of ultra-modern weapons, why beheadings? Islam. Period.

    Also, with regards to the AC…

    In Daniel 9:27 – “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make [it] desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

    What “religion” has the hallmark of lying? Islam. They break every vow and promise in the name of Islam. They will do so with Israel as well.

    I don’t have all the answers but, the rise of Islam was something no bible scholar had even thought of 35 years ago. Look how quickly it has risen! In Europe, Islam, in a few short years, will be THE majority. Think about that. Like The Borg, they have assimilated into regions of the world and with a population growth of 5.1 (compared with 1.4 or so of others) they have OVERTAKEN, or will soon, the world! In America, we are seeing the rise of Islam at an unprecedented rate. Incrementalism is a tool the devil utilizes well. Homosexual marriage is now thought of as OK with even some of the “elect” (I use that term loosely) believing in it now. Humanity caves. It falls for the devils’ ploys and strategies. He is one step ahead of us all. Imagine a world where no Christians exist. Where the presence of the Holy Spirit is now void. Where mankind will finally get what it has been asking for. A world without God in it. Soon, the Lord Jesus will call us to be where He is. Soon, the world will have unrestrained evil running rampant. The fascination with all things “zombie”? I do not dismiss this as mere science fiction. Nor do I dismiss the fascination of all things UFO related. They will come together as something mankind has been prepared to see already via movies/TV/books about these subjects.

    Maranatha my friends!

    Like

  9. lordtheoden
    09/09/2015 at 7:04 PM
    Reply

    We now see the Europe is being overtaken by Muslims, Germany alone has agreed to take in 800,000 this year and pledged to take in 500,000 every year after. Chancellor Merkel has herself said this will forever change the face of the country. These Muslims are doing immigration Jihad and they will multiple and eventually overtake Europe. The old teaching that a revived Roman Empire will be in power in the Last Days now seems had to swallow as Europe will never recover from the influx of Muslims who will not assimilate but seek to rule Europe for Allah. One can reason the ” Roman Empire” to come will now be ISLAMIC …frightening indeed

    Like

  10. rlmyerson
    09/10/2015 at 2:01 PM
    Reply

    So very interesting that someone has actually clicked the “not liked” icon on the above video of Dr. MacArthur. We can only surmise that there are muslims who’s curiosity gets the best of them, who are monitoring this blogsite. Just remember, whoever you are that clicked the “unlike” button, you have heard the truth if you watched this video. You are now eternally responsible to decide whether or not to believe it. God will not hold you guiltless!!!!!

    Like

  11. A Trober
    06/27/2016 at 10:36 PM
    Reply

    The interpretation sounds too influenced by recent circumstances to be influenced by the Holy Spirit.

    And, the interpretation of the dream by Daniel is indeed a *revival* of pre-existing powers.

    fwiw, the four horsemen as interpreted in mainstream commentary are not what the entire book is about: revealing who Jesus Christ is. An interpretation along these lines is more fitting: https://www.wake-up.org/newsletter-archive/day-star-newsletter/the-four-horsemen-of-the-apocalypse-september-2001.html

    Like

  12. ddoylereynolds
    06/30/2016 at 10:30 PM
    Reply

    This is false and out of context. MacArthur is reading a summary of what Islam teaches about Mahdi and how it compares with Biblical Antichrist. Then he goes on to compare similarities and differences.

    The sermon in it’s entirety, rether than clipped as here, is on the gty dot org site and Youtube. If you are not watching a 45-50 minute clip, you are not watching the whole thing.

    BTW, we all here do know that pne of the Commandments is Thou shalt not bear false witness. Right?

    Like

  13. ICA
    07/05/2016 at 2:47 PM
    Reply

    ddoylereynolds, “This is false and out of context. MacArthur is reading a summary of what Islam teaches about Mahdi and how it compares with Biblical Antichrist. Then he goes on to compare similarities and differences.”

    It is not false and out of context at all. Dr. John MacArthur is teaching that Antichrist is Islamic. Listen to the full 77 minute sermon here:

    Here is an excerpt:

    There always are false prophets, always false teachers, we know that, always people who claim to be Jesus … but as you get to the end of human history and you get into the period of time called the Tribulation, there is a specific fulfillment of this prophecy [of Matthew 24:5,11] that I want you to understand. And it has to do with Islam… Let me summarize. [According to Islamic teaching] The Mahdi will be a messianic figure. He will be a descendant of Mohammed. He will be an unparalleled or unequaled leader. He will come out of a crisis of turmoil. He will take control of the world. He will establish a New World Order. He will destroy all who resist him. He will invade many nations. He will make a 7-year peace treaty with the Jews. He will conquer Israel and massacre the Jews. He will establish Islamic world headquarters at Jerusalem. He will rule for 7 years, establish Islam as the only religion. He will come on a white horse with supernatural power. He will be loved by all people on earth. If that sounds familiar, that is a precise description of the Biblical Antichrist. Absolutely step, by step, by step, by step. The Bible’s Antichrist is their Mahdi.

    Why am I giving you all this? Because the description of the Mahdi is exactly the description of the biblical Antichrist, the beast of Revelation 13, and you go into any kind of a study of that and you will find that all the details match up perfectly. The Bible’s Antichrist is Islam’s Savior and world conqueror who establishes a universal Islamic kingdom…

    Now somebody might say, “Well, when you think about the future and what’s going to happen in the world, don’t we have a revived Roman Empire? Doesn’t that mean the west? You remember that the image in Daniel 2 of the final world empire had two legs and the Roman Empire had the west and the east? You know, of course, if you know history that the western part of the Roman Empire basically dissolved and the east survived for a thousand years or more so that at the time of the New Testament, sixty percent of the Roman Empire was land that is now under Muslim control…at least 60 percent. The vast majority of the Roman Empire in New Testament times is today under Muslim control and Islam is moving across the west rapidly in Europe, isn’t it?

    When you have a picture in Ezekiel 38, you have a picture of the Antichrist, Gog and you have the listing of eight nations, that will be a coalition for the Antichrist. All eight of those are Muslim nations, all eight of them. And they ring the Mediterranean to Libya…

    What we’re seeing in human history is just the beginning [of the birth pains], is just the mild contractions. Wait till you see what’s going to happen just before the very end.

    Two thousand years of these milder contractions will explode in the end, in the time of Tribulation described starting in verse 14 and more in detail in Revelation 6 through 19. Amazing predictions by our Lord…destruction, deception, disaster… distress …

    By the way, when you get to Revelation 6, 7, 13, 17, 18, you see the worst persecution just before the Lord comes. The big picture is, false religion has massacred Christians and it’s doing it right now as we speak in this modern world. Why do they do this? They do this because they hate Christ.

    Read the text of the sermon in full here.

    The following Sunday Dr. John MacArthur said the following in his sermon:

    By the way, you might want to know that in Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi, the Islamic Antichrist, who comes, it says, in their eschatological literature, their authoritative literature, when he comes he will set up his throne and establish world Islamic rule in Jerusalem on the temple mount. That’s their eschatology. And by the way, he will be aided and abetted by a prophet and the prophet will be Jesus. That’s what they say. Jesus, who will come back and say, “You were all wrong about me all the time, I didn’t die, I didn’t rise, I didn’t pay for sin, I am a radical Muslim.” And he will correct all the misunderstandings about him and he will report the whole world to the Mahdi. And anybody who doesn’t worship the Mahdi will be massacred. That’s Islamic eschatology.

    Very consistent with Scripture. Their Messiah is the Bible’s Antichrist. By the way, they have an Antichrist, too. Their Antichrist is a man who will come and say He’s Jesus, the Son of God. Complete reversal.

    Watch the video or read the sermon here.

    ddoylereynolds, “BTW, we all here do know that pne of the Commandments is Thou shalt not bear false witness. Right?”

    You would be well served to follow your own advice, my friend.

    Like

  1. 05/07/2011 at 1:22 PM
    The People of the Prince to Come: A Roman-European Antichrist? « MidnightWatcher's Blogspot

The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of MidnightWatcher's Blogspot. Although differences of opinion are welcomed, please refrain from personal attacks and inappropriate language. This blog reserves the right to edit or delete any comments that fail to do so.