The Threat of Islamic State by Frederick Hoehn, copyright 2015, all rights reserved. Chapter 1 Islamic State has been rather making a nuisance of itself over there in the Middle East for quite a while now. They seem to be a bigger threat than Al Queda. Islamic State is also called ISIS, or ISIL, or dash. Apparently, the word "dash" is an abbreviation for something in one of the Arabic languages. We spent a lot of money trying to train the soldiers of Iraq. Then the Islamic State attacked, and the Iraqi army ran from them. What kind of an army is that? No, guys, you're supposed to fight the invading enemy, not run off. Running off is not what an army does, unless ordered to retreat by their superior officers. But even recently on TV, I've seen American military men interviewed and talking about training the Iraqis. Don't you guys learn? You can't train people who don't want to be trained. And some of our trainers have simply been murdered in cold blood by those they were trying to train. It's June, and so the anniversary of D-Day, the invasion of France by the Allies to take France back from the Nazis and Hitler. So on TV, you see those wonderful Allied soldiers storming the beaches at Normandy. Some of them were mowed down by machine gun fire. So did they turn around to get back on the landing craft to go back to the ship? No, they stayed right there, and moved inland, and overcame the Germans. Now that, you see, is what an army is supposed to do. But how big a threat is the Islamic State? Well, if you look at their ambitions, its a very large threat. They don't just want to conquer the Middle East, they also want to conquer the United States, and some of them are expecting to do so. Wars have been fought in the past over religion. And we're not yet through with wars over religion. Of course, the U.S. doesn't start wars over religion, but we must defend ourselves against those who want to conquer us. These Islamic State people are Muslims, and they believe that their religion, Islam, ought to be the religion of the whole world. Some of them think that they're doing God a service when they kill non-Muslims. Jesus said, "...the time is coming, that whoever kills you will think that he is doing God a service." (John 16:2) That time is now. But it would be a mistake to convert to Islam because they don't have salvation through Jesus Christ. This life is only a preparation for Eternity. Jesus has taught us that when we die, we either go to heaven, or to hell. And most people go to hell, Jesus said. When you die, it's only your body that dies. Then you, the person who lived in that house that was your body go to heaven, if you're a Christian, or to hell, if you're not a Christian. The Muslims are on the road to hell because they don't believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Their religion, Islam, is a false religion. The Muslims have been very much lied to. Muslims say that God's name is Allah. But their God, Allah, doesn't have a son, Jesus. But the real God does have a son, Jesus. Allah, then, is not God. Chapter 2 The Muslims say that Jesus is one of their prophets. But the behavior of the Muslims shows that they don't really take Jesus very seriously as a prophet. There was a Muslim man that I played some chess with when I lived in Houston, TX. In one of our discussions, I said to that Muslim man, "You people contradict yourselves. You say that Jesus was a good man, and a prophet, but not the Son of God." "But Jesus said he's the Son of God. So if you're right that he's not the Son of God, then he's not a good man, but a liar; not a prophet, but a false prophet." The Muslim man surprised me with his answer. He said, "Jesus didn't say that he's the Son of God." Obviously, the Muslim man doesn't read the Bible. Jesus was talking with his disciples, and asked, "Whom do men say that I am?" The disciples answered, "One of the old prophets, or John the Baptist risen again from the dead." (Those who thought that Jesus was John the Baptist risen again from the dead were way off, since John the Baptist and Jesus were both alive at the same time, for a period of years, and John, in fact, baptized Jesus, so how could they confuse Jesus with John the Baptist?) Jesus continued with his disciples, "But whom do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You're the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus answered Peter, "Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father who is in heaven." And then, on another occasion, Jesus stood before the Jewish High Priest. And the High Priest asked Jesus, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?" And Jesus said, "I am, and you'll see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven." (from Mark chapter 14) The Son of Man is one of the names of Jesus. What could be plainer? Jesus did say that he's the Son of God. And if the Muslims really took Jesus seriously as a Prophet, then wouldn't they want to know every word of what Jesus said while he was on earth, as the messenger from God that a real prophet is? But you don't get all the words of Jesus by reading the Koran. No, you have to read the Bible. And obviously, they don't. So, Muslims, please don't tell me that Jesus is one of your prophets, because you don't really take the Prophet Jesus seriously, in that you won't read what Jesus has said in the Bible. We had the head of Islamic State in prison for a while. As he was getting out of prison, he told the prison officials, "I'll see you in New York." For those who think that statement shouldn't be taken too seriously, I believe you're mistaken. I believe the man really does want to come here and attack New York City, and Los Angeles, and Chicago, etc. While Osama Bin Laden was still alive, comedians used to impersonate him on TV, making a speech. Then at the end, the impersonating actor would add, "Oh, and Death to America." The comedian was trying to be funny. But, you see, that's not a joke. Those people really would like to make America die, and I believe we ought to pray to God not to let that happen to us. In another book, I wrote about George Washington's Vision, former President of the United States. In the vision, an angel showed Washington about wars to come. The worst was World War 3, in which ships brought enemy soldiers to our shores to attack us. I believe the vision. I believe God showed Washington what was going to happen in the future. And it rather looks now, like the only group bold enough to try such an attack on the United States is the militant Muslims, who think they're doing a service to Allah, and think that if they die as Muslim martyrs, they'll go straight to heaven. But Muslims, you see, don't go to heaven because they are not born again Christians. To become a Christian, obey Romans 10:9,10-- "That if you confess the Lord Jesus with your mouth, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you're saved. For with the heart man believes for righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made for salvation." ___James chapter 1 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are dispersed around, greetings. 2 My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, 3 Knowing this, that the testing of your faith works patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, so you'll be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God for it, who gives to all men liberally, and won't find fault, and it shall be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. 7 For let that man not think that he'll receive anything from the Lord. 8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted, 10 But the rich, in that he is made low, because as the flower of the grass he'll pass away. 11 For the sun has no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withers the grass, and the flower of it falls, and the grace of the fashion of it perishes, so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation, for after he's been tested, he'll receive the crown of life, that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God," for God can't be tempted with evil, nor does he tempt any man, 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and sin when it's finished, produces death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, nor shadow of turning. 18 He chose to father us with the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of his creatures. 19 So, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, 20 For the anger of man doesn't accomplish the righteousness of God. 21 So, lay apart all filthiness and the unnecessary naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man seeing his natural face in a mirror, 24 For he sees himself, and goes his way, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues in it, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seems to be religious, and doesn't bridle his tongue, but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is for nothing. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. ___James chapter 2 1 My brothers, don't have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if a man with a gold ring comes to your assembly in fancy clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes comes in also, 3 And you have respect to him that wears the fancy clothes, and say to him, "Sit here in a good place," and say to the poor, "Stand there, or sit here under my footstool," 4 Aren't you then partial in yourselves, and have become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, hasn't God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have despised the poor. Don't rich men oppress you, and bring you before the judgment seats? 7 Don't they blaspheme that worthy name by which you're called? 8 If you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor like yourself," you do well, 9 But if you have respect of persons, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as sinners. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not kill." Now if you don't commit adultery, yet if you kill, you've become a breaker of the law. 12 Speak in such a way, and do, as those who'll be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that has shown no mercy, and mercy rejoices against judgment. 14 What does it profit, my brothers, though a man says he has faith, and doesn't have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister needs clothes, and lacks daily food, 16 And one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you don't give them the things that are needed for the body, what good is that? 17 Even so faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yes, a man could say, "You have faith, and I have works, show me your faith without your works, and I'll show you my faith by my works." 19 You believe that there is one God, you do well, the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But don't you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see how faith worked with his deeds, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness, and he was called the friend of God." 24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also wasn't Rahab the prostitute justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? 26 For like the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. ___James chapter 3 1 My brothers, don't be many masters, knowing that we'll receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man doesn't offend in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 See, we put bits in the horses' mouths, so they'll obey us, and we turn around their whole bodies. 4 Look also at the ships, which though they're so large, and are driven by fierce winds, yet they're turned around by a very small helm, wherever the captain wants. 5 Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. See how great a matter a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of sin, so is the tongue among our members that it makes dirty the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of animals, and of birds, and of snakes, and of things in the sea, gets tamed, and has been tamed by mankind, 8 But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless God, the Father, and with it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be. 11 Does a fountain send out at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brothers, produce olive berries? Or a vine, figs? So no fountain can yield both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is a wise man, possessing knowledge among you? Let him show out of a good lifestyle his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, don't glory, and don't lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom doesn't descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be reasoned with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is planted in peace by those who make peace. ___James chapter 4 1 Where do wars and fightings among you come from? Don't they come from your lusts that war in your members? 2 You lust, and don't have, you kill, and desire to have, and can't obtain, you fight and war, yet you don't have, because you don't ask. 3 You ask, and don't receive, because you ask wrongly, so you can consume it on your lusts. 4 You adulterers and adulteresses, don't you know that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world is an enemy of God. 5 Do you think that the scripture says for nothing, "The spirit that lives in us lusts to envy?" 6 But he gives more grace. So he says, "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he'll run away from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and cry, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he'll lift you up. 11 Don't speak evil about each other, brothers. He that speaks evil about his brother, and judges his brother, speaks evil about the law, and judges the law, but if you judge the law, you're not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy, who are you that judges someone else? 13 Go on now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we'll go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and make a profit," 14 Actually, you don't know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a puff of steam, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. 15 For you ought to say, "Lord willing, we'll live, and do this, or that." 16 But now you rejoice in your boastings, all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin. ___James chapter 5 1 Go on now, you rich men, cry and howl for your miseries that shall come on you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your clothes are moth eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are rusted, and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh like fire. You've heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 See, the wages of the laborers who have reaped down your fields, which you've kept back by fraud, shouts, and the shouts of those who've reaped have entered into the ears of the Lord of Sabbath. 5 You've lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton, you've nourished your hearts, like in a day of slaughter. 6 You've condemned and killed the just, and he doesn't resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is getting near. 9 Don't grudge against each other, brothers, so you won't be condemned, see, the judge stands at the door. 10 Take, my brothers, the prophets, who've spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 See, we count them happy that endure. You've heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. 12 But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, not by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath, but let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you don't fall into condemnation. 13 Is anyone among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is anyone merry? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, he'll be forgiven. 16 Confess your faults to each other, and pray for each other so you'll be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man is does a lot of good. 17 Elijah was a man subject to the same kind of passions that we are, and he prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain, and it didn't rain on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 19 Brothers, if any of you strays from the truth, and someone converts him, 20 Let him know, that he that converts the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.