IRAN LEADER: WE MUST PREP FOR THE "END TIMES"

Also: sermon on Israel/Egypt/U.S. now available online video/audio
Joel C. Rosenberg
(Jerusalem, Israel, July 12, 2012) -- My friend Reza Kahlili published a fascinating and sobering article this week and I commend it to your attention. Reza used to be an officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Then he became a double agent for the CIA. Now he is an American citizen who is using his contacts and sources in Iran to gather information to expose the evil regime in Tehran and bring them down before they acquire nuclear weapons and try to usher in the reign of the Twelfth Imam.

I've posted excerpts from the story -- and a link to the full story -- on my blog. Here's one excerpt: "The issue of Imam Mahdi is of utmost importance, and his reappearance has been clearly stated in our holy religion of Islam," Khamenei said. "We must study and remind ourselves of the end of times and Imam Mahdi's era. … We must prepare the environment for the coming so that the great leader will come." The article reads like an excerpt from "The Twelfth Imam" or "The Tehran Initiative" novels, but this is real life, and gives us a further indication of how much the end times and the coming of the Mahdi is driving the thinking and actions of the Iranian leadership, and creating an increasingly dangerous climate in the epicenter right now.

Please be praying for the nation of Israel, and the nation of Iran, and all the nations in between at this critical time. War doesn't quite feel imminent at the moment. But I still get the sense thus far that Israel could launch a major preemptive war before the end of this year, possibly this fall before the American elections.

I've also posted several other new stories on the blog, including a link to the audio & video of my sermon from Sunday and a column entitled, "When it comes to preaching repentance and revival, are you a Jonah?" Hope you find them helpful.

Finally, last night I had the honor of delivering the closing message at the "Back To Jerusalem" conference on Arab evangelism last night. It wasn't just a conference, it was a week long Gospel outreach. What a joy to be with Israeli Arabs and Jews (and quite a few internationals) who long to bring the good news of Jesus the Messiah back to the city and land where it all began. In the next few days, Lord willing, I'll post notes from my message.

God bless you!