Antichrist: Islam's Awaited Messiah

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 284 pages
• Published by: Pleasant Word-A Division of WinePress Publishing April 7, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1414104405
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1414104409
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Weighs: 15.2 ounces

Product Description
On September 17, 2005, the newly elected President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations National Assembly in New York City. American President George W. Bush sat in attendance. Concluding his speech, Ahmadinejad made a plea to Allah to speedily bring forth the emergence of the mysterious Islamic Messiah figure known as Imam Al-Mahdi. This book looks at in detail who Imam Al-Mahdi is according to Islamic belief. An essential study to better understand the religious dimension behind the threat that is represented in Ahmadinejad. A fascinating study and comparison of the end-time beliefs of the World’s two largest religions. Through this groundbreaking examination of both Islamic and biblical prophecy, a frightening picture of a very possible future emerges. A must read for anyone who wishes to better understand Islam, Bible prophecy or the spiritual factors and the underlying forces driving the present early stages of what may indeed be the final clash of ideologies and civilizations.

"A fascinating and provocative work. Joel has definitely expanded the frontiers in the ongoing exploration of the relationship between Islam and the rest of the world. A must read for priests and pastors, students and lay readers everywhere. Bravo!"
-Robert Spencer, Author of Islam Unveiled and The Politically Inncorrect Guide to Islam, Director of Jihad Watch.com

"In an era and an age where ambiguity reigns, Joel Richardson has written a book that is clear, well researched, and to the point. Few people in the Christian community have the courage to study world religions, much less invest themselves in it as he has done. Do yourself a favor; get this book, read this book, live out the truths that you pull out of it. It is worth your time, and more importantly, souls hang in the balance."
-Dr. Ergun Caner, Dean, Liberty Theological Seminary, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

"This book definitely provides a fresh look at Bible Prophecy in light of current affairs with the global rise of Islamic Fundamentalism. Not only does Joel accurately analyze Islamic doctrines and practices, but his interpretation of biblical prophecy is also solid - soundly adhering to the accepted rules of hermeneutics."
-Walid Shoebat, Former Palestinian Terrorist, Author of Why I Left Jihad.

"Joel Richardson presents a fascinating overview of how biblical and Islamic viewpoints on eschatology overlap, making a convincing case that reading this book and studying what the Old and New Testaments have to say about the "end times" is imperative for Christians today. This book is a wake-up call for Christians to learn how the future of the church, the future of Islam and the future of the entire world are divinely and directly interconnected."
-Dr. Tom White, Executive Director, The Voice of the Martyrs

Reader Reviews
This book is a fascinating, frightening comparative analysis of Islamic and Christian eschatology. The author is a Christian (Protestant) who has studied Islam during the course of his long-term involvement in interfaith dialogues. Drawing from the Koran and the Sunna--the two principle sources of Islamic doctrines--he has identified the prophesied Islamic Messiah, Muhammed al Mahdi, as a figure quite similar to the Christian "Antichrist," as described in the book of Revelations, and in the Judaic prophecies of Ezekial and Daniel. He then demonstrates that the returning "Jesus" (Isa) of Islamic eschatology is quite similar to the Christian "false prophet," who will, in fact serve the Antichrist in the conquest and destruction of Israel, presenting himself to the world as a non-divine "Jesus" who is subservient to Allah and his Mahdi. The author's interpretation of the two prophetic traditions is that the Mahdi will re-establish the Islamic Ottoman Empire, which was essentially built on the foundation of the Orthodox Christian Byzantine Empire. This book is particularly frightening in light of the current turmoil in the Persian Gulf. For example, the militias of the Shi'a leader of Iraq, Mohktada al Sadr, is now called the "Mahdi" army. Muhammed al Mahdi is supposed to return to earth, presumably reuniting the Sunna and Shi'a factions of Islam by his presence. The prophesied destruction of Israel in the end times is supposed to originate in Khorasan, modern day Iran. Skeptics will scoff at the whole concept of prophesy, and the perrenial concerns about the "end times," but, after reading this book, I certainly wonder if we are witnessing the beginning of a pan-Islamic reign of terror in the Middle East, and around the world.