ISIS propaganda is putting fear in the hearts of men and women all over the world—and its vicious attacks against Christians are bringing intercessors to their knees.
But where does ISIS fit into the end times plan? How should Americans pray about the conflict in the Middle East? What do we really need to know?
Charisma News turned to Chris Mitchell, Middle East Bureau Chief for CBN News, for some answers. In his recently released Destination Jerusalem: ISIS, Convert or Die, Christian Persecution and the Coming Days Ahead, Mitchell discusses the rising evil of Islam. In part four of this exclusive interview, Mitchell shared his thoughts on ISIS in the end times.
You can still read the first three installments: When Christians Come Face to Face With ISIS; Are We Seeing the New World Order Rising?; and How ISIS Will Impact Our Way of Life.
Charisma News: Does ISIS see themselves as players in the end times?
Mitchell: Many people might not know that ISIS sees themselves as fulfilling Islamic end-time prophecies. For example, we explain in the book that ISIS sees this war as an end-times struggle. In their publication called DABIQ, they mention a prophecy that at the end of days there will be a great battle in the Syrian town of Dabiq before the return of their Islamic Messiah called the Mahdi. So for them, this is an end-times battle.
Charisma News: How should Americans pray about the conflict in the Middle East?
Mitchell: First of all, we can “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love you be secure” as Psalm 122:6 exhorts us. In addition, we can as Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people; for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
If there was a time when our leaders needed godly wisdom, now is the time! There is a saying that “history belongs to the intercessors.” It’s not just a time to watch the news, but as my colleague Wendy Griffith wrote in her book, we need to “pray the news.” Prayer makes a difference!
Charisma News: What do you want readers of Destination Jerusalem to take away from this book? What’s the biggest lesson or “aha” you hope they get?
Mitchell: On page 160 of Destination Jerusalem, I quote the lyrics from the song “When It’s All Been Said and Done.” Part of that song goes: “When it’s all been said and done, There is just one thing that matters. Did I do my best to live for Truth? Did I live my life for You?”
I hope people get that they are an integral part of today’s story. We’re not just passive onlookers to the events unfolding in our world. We all like Esther have been called to the kingdom “for such a time as this.” Our callings may be different, they may be high-profile or anonymous, but we are all called to fulfill our heavenly destiny and fulfill the reason we were created.
In these perilous days, we need the resolve as when Winston Churchill rallied his countrymen as all seemed lost to Hitler, that “this indeed can be our finest hour.” One day all of us will stand before the Lord. I hope on that day, He can say to each of us, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord.”
Click here to check out Mitchell’s book on amazon.com or visit him online at destinationjerusalembook.
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