Dear John & Doves,
 
I found Peggy's article from Nov 26th most fascinating, regarding the views of the Iranian-terrorist President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, as to the anticipation of Islam's "12th Imam" aka the 'Mahdi'.  It is no secret that Israel as a nation is in a similar fashion, anticipating the arrival of their messiah (having rejected Jesus Christ 2000+ years ago), while we as Christians know without doubt that the true Messiah, the true Son of God is indeed King Jesus, Who will return exactly as He promised in His Word.
 
What I find ominous is that nearly every religious group, faction, denomination, etc., is anticipating the arrival of their 'promised deliverer', and I hasten to emphasize that I know (as do you all) that Jesus Christ is the ONLY One in which we can place our trust.
 
Certainly it is to be expected that Muslims and non-Christ-believing Jews will point to us and say "how can YOU be so sure YOU are right?", and we cannot convince those who choose to believe the lie, the lie that Jesus Christ is NOT the only Holy Son of God, that He is NOT the Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The ironic similarity in Judaism and Islam is that both religions deny that Jesus is Lord. (permit me to quickly digress as I remember the words of an evangelist who once said "religion, is man trying (and failing) to reach God, while Jesus Christ is the successful attempt by God, to reach, and to save, man")
 
Now in a hypothetical situation, I have no doubt that if some gifted orator were to suddenly appear on the world scene, solved the conflict in the Middle East, was embraced by Israel as a guarantor of their security, and was accepted by Israel's adversaries as well, that we as Christians would be prone to label such a figure as being the Antichrist, as he began to fulfill his prophetic role in history. Now on the other hand, if the mysterious "12th Imam/Mahdi" that Iran's sabre-rattling Ahmadinejad speaks of, were to suddenly appear to lead the Muslim world in a final confrontation, that both Christians and Jews would oppose such a figure and unify against a common enemy. And finally, if King Jesus were to suddenly appear to an unbelieving world, we as Christians would of course welcome Him as our long awaited Saviour, but the non-Christians on the planet would probably attempt to oppose Him no differently than Christians and Jews would oppose the fictitious 'Imam/Mahdi'.
 
Now I am aware that for Jesus Christ to suddenly appear in a fashion which contradicts His Holy Word, would make such an appearance suspect, and this leads to a theory that has been voiced by some in the past, but one that I am becoming more convinced is a strong possibility, based on this recent news story (also compliments of Peggy, bless you Sister):
 
http://news.yahoo.com/s/prweb/20051124/bs_prweb/prweb314382_1
 
The above story details how an actual former minister of defense, in Canada, is claiming that extraterrestrial life exists, that aliens have been visiting Earth, that UFOs are absolutely real, and that we are at risk of an 'intergalactic war', (Revelation 12:, 7 & 8? "And there was war in Heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven")
 
This prompts me to wonder if the only unifying figure which could possibly bring 'peace' to the Middle East, ushering in a New Age (italics mine), would be a figure of alien/extraterrestrial origin? A figure who would proclaim the lie that would be the foundation of the Great Delusion, that there IS no actual 'God', that we are the descendants of an alien species who 'seeded' us here thousands of years ago, and that in order for us to survive and progress, it has become necessary for our galactic ancestors to return and restore order, "peace and safety", for our own good and to guarantee the survival of our species. It would logically follow that such a deception would include the 'convenient' explanation that the religions of the world are all actually based upon the same thing, i.e., our alien ancestors from another galaxy, who were referred to as 'Jesus', 'Mohammed', 'Buddha', etc. This neatly dovetails into the ecumenical craze which has been spreading like a bad rash for decades.
 
Now certainly, Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit would immediately recognize such a deception for the satanic lie that it is, that any so-called 'aliens' are in fact DEMONS, and their commander-in-chief is no less than Lucifer/Satan himself, who will make his final attempt to deceive the entire world, in order to gather glory and worship unto himself, for that is what he craves more than anything, to be worshipped as Almighty God is worshipped, to be recognized as 'God', no matter that he is a created being, not The Creator Himself.
 
The question remaining is whether or not the Rapture will take place before such events begin, during those events, or towards the end of those events, i.e., the three 'pre, mid and post' tribulation theories. The adherents of any of those theories can point to Scriptures that can be interpreted to support their view, and I will be the first to admit that my own beliefs may be in error, except for my unchanging and unshakable belief that Jesus Christ IS "The Way, The Truth, and the Life", He died for me and you on the Cross, He was Resurrected and Ascended into Heaven, and He indeed sits at the Right Hand Side of The Father, and it is His Name, that is above every name, His Name only is worthy of Praise, and He is my Saviour, and will soon return exactly as He promised in His Word.
 
As for the rest of the world who rejects Christ, who seeks 'another truth', another 'way'?  I believe they are being set up just as Minnesota Fats used to set up a pool table shot, when he (Satan) finally hits the cue ball, he'll run the table, knocking in every ball, taking countless souls with him to Hell for all eternity  They will buy into and embrace the alien/extraterrestrial lie as being truth, and God's Word is clear about what will happen to all of them who reject Jesus Christ and His Salvation.
 
This is why I consider it a strong possibility that the Antichrist will be revealed not as a mysterious human who has been patiently waiting in the shadows, but as an 'alien' (as presented to humanity by Satan), who will be able to supercede all existing belief structures of the various religious beliefs. The appearance of this entity will be breathtaking, dramatic and something on the order of a magnified version of the old 1951 sci-fi movie, "The Day The Earth Stood Still".
 
I would highly recommend anyone wishing to look into this possibility further, to read the book 'The Threat' by Professor David Jacobs of Temple University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania.  Professor Jacobs has researched the subject of UFOs since 1965, not in a flamboyant or headline seeking fashion, but in a very scholarly and documented manner. His research is quite frankly, beyond reproach.  I do not believe that he realizes that UFO occupants, 'aliens', etc., are most likely demons, but he has come to the conclusion that the future of mankind is increasingly dark, he sees the alien 'abduction' phenomena as something which is going to change the very fabric of human society, and not in a positive way.  I might add that a very close Christian friend of mine knows this man personally, and while an adherent of the Jewish faith, Jacobs is also a truth seeker, and is in fact an honest man for whom we as Christians should be praying. I believe he is seeking the truth, and we all know Who is the Source of all Truth.  I have been praying that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob will reveal to Professor Jacobs that Jesus Christ IS the Messiah for which his Nation has been waiting for, and that he will accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
 
I hope that some of you might feel led to join me in such prayers, and I thank you all for your consideration of what I have written.
 
Sincerely,
 
Marc McIntosh
marc.mcintosh@gmail.com