Muslim Brotherhood Gaining Power in Syria

Muslim Brotherhood
الإخوان المسلمون
Al-Ikhwān Al-Muslimūn

The Muslim Brotherhood is gaining influence in Syria:

Anti-Assad Dissidents Form Syrian National Council

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: October 3, 2011

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) — Syrian dissidents on Sunday formally established a broad-based national council designed to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad’s government, which they accused of pushing the country to the brink of civil war…Members said the council included representatives from the Damascus Declaration group, a pro-democracy network; the Syrian Muslim Brotherhood, a banned Islamic political party; various Kurdish factions; the Local Coordination Committees, a group that helps organize and document protests; and other independent and tribal figures. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/world/middleeast/anti-assad-dissidents-form-syrian-national-council.html?_r=1

The Muslim Brotherhood is active in other Arab lands as well. The USA itself has seemed to back the Muslim Brotherhood in Syria (see Obama Administration Picks Muslim Brotherhood in Syria?)

Here is some of what the official English-language website of the Muslim Brotherhood teaches about its history and some of its goals:

Al-Banna was chiefly responsible for formulating the policies of this association…the idea of universal muslim state was constantly implied due to the association’s focus on Islam. While strongly disapproving of local brands of Nationalism, particularly if they were Western-inspired and secularly-minded, Banna developed his vision of Pan-Islamic Nationalism, insisting that Islam and Nationalism were complementary, especially when the latter operated within the parameter of the Islamic truth, since, for the Muslim Brethren, Islam was of course both religion and state. Here we need to analyze what was the basic concept from which Hassan al-Banna initiated to establish such Islamic organization. Then we would also explore his thought of the causes of descend of Islamic society particularly in Egypt. However, his effort and works deserved great consideration of Islamic society in the revolution to the revival of Islamic state (Caliphate)…The Muslim Brethren…believe that the caliphate is a symbol of Islamic Union and an indication of the bonds between the nations of Islam. They see the caliphate and its re-establishment as a top priority, subsequently; an association of Muslims people should be set up, which would elect the imam“.

Pro-democracy Westerners need to realize that if given a real vote, a high percentage of Arabs will support less secular, more Islamic, candidates with agendas similar to those of the Muslim Brotherhood. Many in the Islamic world long for greater influence and suspect that the way to get it is to support groups that want more Islamic influence.

Of course, if there is a caliphate, then there needs to be a caliph. Those of us in the Living Church of God have known that an Islamic leader like that (sometimes called the Imam Mahdi when the religious aspect of his leadership is emphasized) will rise up, who will be the final biblical King of the South:

The supreme office of caliph, originally elective, became hereditary…Eventually…caliphs became figurehead or “puppet” leaders…Many Arabs…seek to re-create the political and theological unity of the early Islamic caliphate (Stump K. The Arab World in Prophecy. Plain Truth, December 1979, pp. 9-10).

Al Qaeda named its Internet newscast, which debuted in September, ‘The Voice of the Caliphate.’…Kerem Acar, a tailor in central Istanbul {said} ‘…one day maybe my children’s children will see someone declare himself the caliph, like the pope, and have an impact’” (January 14, 2006). Indeed, a coming “Mahdi” whose arrival Muslims are expecting—in Bible prophecy known as the “King of the South” (Daniel 11:40–45)—will soon arise and have a dramatic impact on world events. This powerful Muslim religious leader will unite many of the more than one billion Muslims. He will pose a genuine threat to the coming European Empire, which will have to crush that threat in order to continue exploiting Middle Eastern oil to further its military ambitions. (Meredith RC. Prophecy Fulfilled: God’s Hand in World Affairs. LCG Booklet, 2007, pp. 16-17)

Interestingly, within Islam, there is a belief that someone who sounds like the biblical “King of the South” of Daniel 11, who they tend to call the Mahdi or 12th Imam will participate in a deal like the one in Daniel 9:27…the Bible predicts the rise in the end time of a Future King of the South—and this person may be the one that Muslims will consider to be their prophesied “Mahdi.” …“the Muslim World League issued a fatwa in October of 1976 commanding Sunni Muslims to believe in the concept of an Islamic Savior called the Mahdi.”…Shi’ites also would do well to recognize that just because someone may claim to be the final Imam (or Mahdi), does not mean that God will agree that he should be followed. Neither Sunnis nor Shi’ites should support one who will appear to possibly be the final Imam in the next decade; whoever claims to be will be defeated soundly (Daniel 11:40-43). (Thiel B. 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect, Nazarene Books, 2009).

Opinion polls show that significant majorities in many Arab countries favor the establishment of Sharia law, derived from the Qur’an and centuries of Muslim jurisprudence. Several nations, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen already have Sharia law in some form. Others, such as Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Pakistan, Syria, Qatar and United Arab Emirates, mix Sharia with other systems. To the great surprise of many Western analysts, University of Maryland researchers polled Arab nations and found that substantial majorities in Pakistan, Egypt and Morocco favored the establishment of the Caliphate—which would mean autocratic Islamist rule! Far from voting to establish liberal, Western-style democracies, Middle Eastern countries—if they are given the chance to vote— could very well choose Islamist governments like those of Gaza or Iran. Rather than establish a liberal democracy, the current democratic movements in Middle Eastern Islam could very well bring on a charismatic leader to establish a Caliphate and rule autocratically. What Western politicians hope will be the “Arab Spring” may turn out to be the “Islamic Winter.” (Wakefield D. Nine-Eleven Plus Ten. Tomorrow’s World magazine, September-October 2011, p. 24).

Whether known as a caliph, Mahdi, or some type of king/president/emperor/etc., ultimately the Bible tells of an Arabic confederation that will rise up with a leader (Daniel 11:40-43).

Regarding Syria, I have a couple of concerns.

First, notice that what is starting to be formed in the Middle East, and that will ultimately develop into the King of the South, will unsuccessfully turn against the final European King of the North:

40 At the time of the end the king of the South shall attack him; and the king of the North 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. 41 He shall also enter the Glorious Land, and many countries shall be overthrown; but these shall escape from his hand: Edom, Moab, and the prominent people of Ammon. 42 He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. (Daniel 11:40-43).

Notice that the people of Syria are not listed as those that escape. Other passages in the Bible seem to warn that Syria specifically will not do well.

The capital of Syria is Damascus (cf. Isaiah 7:8), and Damascus is believed to be the oldest continually inhabited city on earth. Yet, notice what the Bible shows will happen to it:

1 An oracle concerning Damascus:
“See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins. 2 The cities of Aroer will be deserted and left to flocks, which will lie down,with no one to make them afraid. 3 The fortified city will disappear from Ephraim,and royal power from Damascus;the remnant of Aram will be like the glory of the Israelites,” declares the LORD Almighty. (Isaiah 17:1-3)

Since the above has not happened yet, it is still a future event. And possibly one that will be fulfilled very soon.

Although Damascus may be destroyed by the invasion of the King of the South by the King of the North, what first might happen is that Syria might support Iran and perhaps be involved in an invasion of Jerusalem and Israel. If so, this might be how Isaiah 17:1 is fulfilled.

It may be that as Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad notices the growing influence of the Muslim Brotherhood (as well as the impact of the recent economic sanctions from the EU against Syria), he may decide that working closer with Iran and supporting its objectives may be the way he feels he can best retain power. Since Iran has repeatedly indicated that it wants to invade Israel (and last month at the UN stated that it will not recognize Israel as a state even if the UN recognizes Palestine as a state), the idea on an actual Iranian invasion with Syrian support seems plausible.

Additionally, as I have reported before, Iran is getting close to having its own nuclear weapons (Nuclear Iran in 2012? If So, Saudis May Want Pakistani Nuclear Support)–and since Israel has indicated that this would be unacceptable, Israel itself may launch a strike against Iran that could lead to a regional war–such a war may also involve Syria. And FWIW, perhaps I should mention that technically, Syria is still at war with Israel as it never did sign a peace deal with Israel. So an actual war involving Syria and Israel is quite feasible. If so, Israel may hit back so hard that it might eliminate Damascus as Isaiah 17:1 says will happen.

Much is going on in the Middle East.

As Jesus said in Mark 13, we all should watch.

For more information, here are three articles of possibly related interest:

The Arab World In the Bible, History, and Prophecy The Bible discusses the origins of the Arab world and discusses the Middle East in prophecy. What is ahead for the Middle East and those who follow Islam?
Is There A Future King of the South? Some no longer believe there needs to be. Might Egypt, Islam, Iran, Arabs, or Ethiopia be involved? What does the Bible say?
Africa: Its Biblical Past and Prophesied Future What does the Bible teach about Africa and its future? Did the early Church reach Africa? Will God call all the Africans?
The Gospel of the Kingdom of God was the Emphasis of Jesus and the Early Church Did you know that? Do you even know what the gospel of the kingdom is all about? True religion should be based upon the true gospel.
Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel Are the Americans, Canadians, British, Scottish, Welsh, Australians, Anglo (non-Dutch) Southern Africans, and New Zealanders descendants of Joseph? Where are the lost ten-tribes of Israel? Who are the lost tribes of Israel? What will happen to Jerusalem and the Jews in Israel? Will God punish the U.S.A., Canada, United Kingdom, and other Anglo nations? Why might God allow them to be punished first?
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe?