Hello John and Doves,
On October 18, 2023 a black
flag was raised above the Razavi dome of Imam
Reza Shrine in Mashhad, Iran. Following this
there was a massive anti-Israeli and anti-American
demonstration at the shrine. Iranian Muslims are of
the Shia branch of Islam. The rest of the Muslims
are of the Sunni branch (like Saudi Arabia)
Media is saying this is a symbol
of 'mourning, grief, and solidarity' with the Palestinians
because of the hospital bombing that the Palestinians are
blaming on Israel. But some think there is another
reason this black flag was hoisted at this time.
"Some social media users have
wrongly claimed that the flag being hoisted is a call to war
- but this NOT the case as it is a symbol of mourning."
"It has been hoisted as a symbol
of solidarity with the Palestinian people after Hamas made
the highly disputed claim that an Israeli airstrike hit a
hospital killing 500 people."
"The Imam Reza Shrine is a
famous religious complex that holds immense significance
for Twelver Shia
Muslims and is a focal point for religious
pilgrimage....A green flag usually flied above
the Imam Reza Shrine."
"The Astan Razavi orders the
raising of the black flag over the dome of the Holy shrine
of Imam Reza in condemnation of the Israeli massacre at the
Ma'madani Hospital in Gaza."
"This tradition is
associated with the arrival of the Mahdi, the Caliph of
Allah."
Both articles
above cover this black flag raising as symbolic of
sympathy and then go on and write about the Twelver Shia Muslims or the
Mahdi. Interesting. More about this
below.
.
Mohammed fought the
infidels under a black flag - it was his 'battle flag'.
"The image of the black
flag has been used as a symbol of religious revolt and
engagement in battle (jihad) In the contemporary
Islamist movement, the black flag is used to evoke notions
of jihad and of reestablishing the Islamic Caliphate."
Outline of Iraq with Black Flag – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
Outline of Iraq with Black Flag – Combating Terrorism Center at West Point
And there are several Islamic
hadiths about black flags: "When the black flags come
from Khorasan (area in Persia) go to them, even if you have
to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa from
Allah, the Mahdi."
And another: "Surely black flags
will appear from the Khorasan until the people (under the
leadership of this flag) will tie their horses with the
olive trees between Bait-e-Lahya and Harasta (locations in
Jerusalem)",
.
Khorasan (central Asia) is
modern-day Iran, southern Turkmenistan and northern
Afghanistan primarily. (Iran, Afghanistan, parts of
Turkmenistan belonged to ancient Persia.)
Khorasan - Wikipedia
Khorasan - Wikipedia
These hadiths are about
the Islamic armies marching under the "Black Flag"
reconquering the Holy Land and taking Jerusalem.
The Twelver Shia Imams (Muslems)
were divinely guided leaders - the holiest in Islam.
All Muslims revere these twelve. Some of these Imams
lived when Muhammad was a live; the others followed
him. Shia Muslims believe that the twelfth Imam or
Mahdi is still alive somewhere on Earth and will make
himself known one day. Many Sunni Muslims believe the
Mahdi has not been born yet. The Shia Muslims believe
that the Mahdi will return as the messiah with Jesus -
establishing Islam as the world religion and bringing
peace. The last, or 12th, according to Shia Muslims,
is Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdi - "the ultimate savior...to
bring peace and justice to the world.'
And the Mahdi will appear when the
world is in total chaos and war - in an apocalyptic
state. Then Islam will rule the world.
Shia believe the Mahdi, a messiah figure, will
herald in the Last Days.
In fact, the place where the black
flag was raised is "the final resting place of Imam Reza,
the eighth Shia Imam..."He is believed to be the spiritual
and political successor of the Prophet Muhammad...His shrine
in the city of Mashhad (northeastern Iran) is one of the
most important pilgrimage sites for Shia Mulsims...Mashhad
is the second-largest city in Iran ...:This shrine is "a
major religious, cultural and commercial center in
Iran...there are daily ceremonies and rituals held at the
shrine..." Millions pilgrimage to it every year.
Imam Reza Shrine: The Heart of Iran’s Religious Heritage – Iran Highlights
Imam Reza Shrine: The Heart of Iran’s Religious Heritage – Iran Highlights
The Black Flag:
I would say that this is more than
a 'symbolic act' - this is a call to war. The Shia
Muslims have been waiting a long time for 'an apocalypse' to
bring back their Mahdi. It looks like they think it's
coming! (Or they'll cause it!)
I doubt the black flag being
raised above this particular mosque has
much to do with 'sympathy' but more to do with the Last Days
and the Mahdi.
Looks like we have another Holy
War coming....
Just today, October 20, "Hundreds
of Shiites (Shia Muslims) are transferred to Golan and
Lebanon" per Iranian orders. These are Hezbollah
militia who have boarded buses in
"Baghdad to be taken to the Iraq-Syria-Jordan border From there they will either concentrate on the Golan Heights or move to Lebanon to open new fronts for the Israeli Army."
"Baghdad to be taken to the Iraq-Syria-Jordan border From there they will either concentrate on the Golan Heights or move to Lebanon to open new fronts for the Israeli Army."
"Shiite militias in Iraq, Syria,
Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi rebels in Yemen will launch
a coordinated attack, including missiles and drones to
create a siege of Israel."
"Such an attack could be launched
within days if the Supreme Leader's demands to stop Israeli
strikes on Gaza are ignored."
Iran, Russia and Qatar said
"others may be forced to join the conflict."
EMERGENCY-Iran gave orders for general attack on Israel: US gives IDF thousands of artillery shells intended for Ukraine! - WarNews247
EMERGENCY-Iran gave orders for general attack on Israel: US gives IDF thousands of artillery shells intended for Ukraine! - WarNews247
Today, October 19, I received an
AlertUSA test: "State Dept issues worldwide caution
uring US citizens overseas to exercise increased caution,
particularity in location frequented by tourists." It
certainly is continuing to escalate.
Pray for the peace of
Jerusalem! Keep praying!
Maranatha~
Chance
