The horrific Hamas attack on Israel was only the first phase of a long-term plan by Iran to wipe out the Jewish State. Iranian leaders believe Israel must be eliminated before the return of an Islamic “messiah-like” figure known as the Mahdi. Â
For years, Iran has been indoctrinating its fighters throughout the Middle East in the belief that there must be an apocalyptic war that destroys both Israel and Jews around the world in order to usher in the Mahdi’s return.
Islamic expert Raymond Ibrahim says, “The Mahdi basically means ‘guided one,’ or in the Islamic understanding, he’s the ‘rightly guided one.’ And he takes on different guises, depending on which sect of Islam you ask, Sunni or Shia.”
Islamic writings say his name will be Mohammed Ibn Abdillah.
Sunnis, the majority of the world’s Muslims, believe the Mahdi has not yet been born.
Shia Islam, which Iran dominates, teaches that the Mahdi is already alive, and has been hiding for over a thousand years.Â
Brother Rachid, a former Muslim who hosts a Christian program for Muslims called “Daring Questions,” says, “Shia Muslims, especially the ‘Twelver Shia’ believe he is the 12th Imam, and that he was born around 868.
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