You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Matthew 24:6
In the daunting vagaries of global geopolitics, there exists a turbulent undercurrent of metaphysical forces, perpetually at odds. At work is the ceaseless clash between good and evil that often precipitates a descent from order into chaos, a state where the unimpeded forces of destruction and violence thrive. These are cosmic forces that seed the gathering clouds of war and inflict intense widespread creative destruction.
At the heart of this tumultuous interplay lies Israel, not just as a nation-state but as a symbol imbued with profound spiritual significance. Israel, oft regarded as a bastion of holiness and lauded as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and God’s special possession (1 Peter 2:9), stands as the eternal epicenter of metaphysical conflagrations, as indeed it must.
Israel’s unique spiritual and historical identity renders it far more than mere geopolitical entity; its capital city, Jerusalem, marks Earth’s axis mundi - its hallowed heart where sacred meets profane and where great metaphysical struggles sear the sinews of lifeless bones and secular passions.
This locus is where prophecies and political realities converge, creating complex and often volatile scenarios. The current global geopolitical disorder, with its myriad tensions and conflicts, can thus be perceived as not only the result of political and economic factors, but also as the manifestation of a deeper, more profound metaphysical struggle litigated by spiritual warfare.
Let’s first examine the prophecies and then the politics.
The Twelvers - The Twelfth Imam
Islamic Mahdism is belief in the Mahdi, a prophesied redeemer in Islam who will emerge to rule for a number of years before the Day of Judgment. In Shiite theology, particularly among the Twelvers (the largest branch of Shiite Islam), the Mahdi is believed to be the Twelfth Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is said to have been born in the 9th century and to have entered into occultation1 (hiddenness), a type of spiritual suspended animation.
Shiite Twelvers believe that the Twelfth Imam, the Mahdi, did not die but was hidden by God and will reappear as the savior of humanity. His return is anticipated as a time of justice and peace, following a period of injustice and chaos.
In fact, Shiite Islam believes it can hasten the return of the Mahdi by increasing chaos and injustice, to wit: the barbaric October 7th massacre of Israeli men, women and children. Today we observe this strategy at work by the many proxy militants controlled by Iran - the heart of Shiite and Mahdist theology. “Death to America and Israel,” is not simply an insolent slogan, it’s Iranian foreign policy.
Mahdism in Shiite Islam, particularly among the Twelvers, and its interaction with Judeo-Christian eschatology, presents a complex entanglement of beliefs, prophecies and geopolitical implications, especially in the context of Iran. Our narrative aims to explore these themes, drawing a parallel between Mahdist expectations in the Middle East and Christian Zionist beliefs in the West.
Personally, I know next to nothing about Islam. And I’m okay with that. Far be it from me to presume what does or does not constitute a true religion. That said, I must confess to having been influenced by St. Paul on this point, as well as on many other matters that demand spiritual discernment.
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Galatians 1:8-12
This newsletter is the product of a good deal of eye-opening research on the prophetic teachings of the Torah, Quran and Bible. According to Matthew and Mark, we are admonished not to become alarmed. Who can help it?! But the Bible also exhorts us to keep ourselves informed.2 Today’s headlines are alarming, to say the least. Many assert the world is now closer to nuclear war than at any time since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
This revelation points to an ongoing chaotic clash of metaphysical forces in the Middle East, foreboding what could be vividly described as an astral trainwreck of two distinct yet oddly similar eschatological belief systems. Each of these systems envisages a different future, one which is rooted in their respective interpretations of end times prophecies, as we shall see.
The first, emanating from within Islamic theology, notably Shiite Mahdism, foresees the return of the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will restore justice and usher in an era of peace and righteousness. Islamic end times narratives describe a period of turmoil, chaos and moral decay preceding the Mahdi's appearance.
Christians, on the other hand, anticipate the Second Coming of Christ, who also will restore justice and usher in an era of peace and righteousness preceded by tumultuous events during a period of turmoil, chaos and moral decay called the Tribulation.
These parallel narratives, although arising from different religious traditions, share a remarkable symmetry in both their structure and ultimate expectations. They both envision a period of significant turmoil and upheaval, followed by a divinely orchestrated resolution that reshapes the world order.
Interestingly, although I won’t spend time on it here, these same metaphysical forces also animate the secular world. The democidal globalists pulling the strings of the World Health Organization and World Economic Forum also are working feverishly to reshape the existing world order.3
What makes this clash of spiritual forces particularly compelling is its tangible impact on global geopolitics. The geopolitical strategies and decisions of nations, especially those influenced by these belief systems, are increasingly intertwined with these eschatological visions.
As such, it is becoming increasingly evident to this writer that prophecies concerning the end times are not confined solely to the realm of spiritual warfare but interact with the fabric of international relations. This confluence suggests a future where the lines between metaphysical beliefs and geopolitical realities become blurred.
In this context, understanding the nuances and implications of these eschatological scenarios becomes crucial, not only for religious scholars but also for policymakers and political analysts. However, most policymakers pay scant attention to religious prophecy. More about that later.
Islam regards Jesus, called Isa in Arabic, as a revered prophet and acolyte to the Mahdi, Islam’s savior figure. Both return to Earth around the same time. The Christian Antichrist, who according to the Bible will appear prior to Jesus’ return, will revive an empire. The Mahdi will revive a global Islamic caliphate that rules the world.
The Christian Antichrist, according to the prophet Daniel, will establish his seat of authority on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. So too will the Mahdi, according to Islamic theology. The destiny of Jerusalem, the City of Peace, is inextricably tied to the destiny of the world.
Moreover, according to Islamic Madihist beliefs, Isa, Jesus, will astonishingly proclaim that Christians and Jews have been deceived and have revelation all wrong. Jesus, in this twisted cosmology of the Madhists, will proclaim Allah as the true God!
But don’t toss your Bibles in the trash bin just yet.
To further tortue this enigma, it appears that there is a third rail, a type of Manchurian Candidate whose job it is to hold back or restrain the appearance of the Christian Antichrist. The identity of the restrainer is a subject of debate and speculation, with no consensus among Christian theologians.
And now you know what is holding him [the Antichrist] back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
2 Thessalonians 2:6-7
The Concept of 'Katechon' in Thessalonians
In the verse from Thessalonians quoted above, katechon (Greek: κατέχον) was the term Paul used to describe the theological force or entity that will restrain or hold back the Antichrist from revealing himself.
Historically, interpretations of katechon have ranged from the Roman Empire, to the presence of the Holy Spirit, to various institutional or spiritual forces. Aleksandr Dugin, a Russian political philosopher, writer and Putin confidant, has posited that Russia, under Putin's leadership, acts as this katechon - the force that holds back the chaos and moral decay associated with the West, which Dugin labels as the Antichrist.
Putin is our ‘katechon,’ Dugin told Catholic News Service… The Greek word katechon is used to describe a force that holds back the ‘mystery of iniquity.’ In Dugin’s worldview, this ‘mystery of iniquity’ is a secularizing force at work in Western countries, and Putin is the leader [who holds back] the coming of the Antichrist.4
This anti-Western perspective aligns with Dugin's broader geopolitical theories, which are steeped in Eurasianism and a particular interpretation of Orthodox Christian eschatology.
The Russian think tank 'Katehon' (the name was derived from the theological concept), which is strongly influenced by Dugin's ideas, also promotes this view. Its approach is focused on geopolitical and eschatological research positioning Russia as a defender against Western liberalism and decay. Katehon (the think tank) describes itself as:
A group of political thinkers, international relations researchers, experts in security and counter-terrorism, and journalists concerned with international affairs, geopolitics, ethno-politics and inter-religious dialogue.5
While the interpretation of Putin as the katechon fits within the ideological framework of figures like Aleksandr Dugin, it is a viewpoint that is far outside the mainstream. It is more of a reflection of contemporary geopolitical ideologies, notably Eurasianism, than of widely accepted theological doctrine.
Within the scope of this comparative eschatological survey, a brief description of Eurasianism, along with the end times beliefs of the Russian Orthodox Church, may be in order. We then will delve more deeply into the fantastical world of Mahdism and the Twelvers.
Eurasianism and Dugin's Ideology
Originally developed in the 1920s by Russian émigrés, Eurasianism posits that Russia's geographic position and historical development have given it a unique cultural and political identity, distinct from both Europe and Asia. Contemporary Eurasianism, especially in Dugin's interpretation, advocates for a Russian-led geopolitical bloc to counter Western influence.
Dugin's ideology intertwines Russian Orthodox Christianity with a strong sense of nationalism. He views Russia as the protector of Orthodox values and as a spiritual and moral alternative to the secular, liberal West. This view flips former notions of a God-fearing West and an atheistic Russia on its head.
When Westerners think of Russia today, we still do not envision a religious nation. Afterall, the Soviet Union, which collapsed in 1991, was atheistic. But in recent years, those former ideas about Russia have begun to fade. As of a few years ago, the Russian Orthodox Church was building on average three new churches a day.6
Eurasian ideology emphasizes the idea of today’s Russia not only as a geopolitical entity but as a civilizational force with its own mission to reshape the global order, often invoking religious and historical narratives to support this vision.
Islamic Eschatology and Iran
Islamic eschatology, particularly in the Twelver Shiite context, spotlights a series of events leading up to the Day of Judgment. The reappearance of the Mahdi, the coming of Jesus, and a final battle against evil are its central themes.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, since its establishment in 1979, have integrated Mahdist beliefs into its political narrative. Iranian leaders have emphasized the need to prepare for the return of the Mahdi, which in turn exerts considerable influence on both its domestic and foreign policies.
A key element is this notion of hastening the return of the Mahdi. This has been interpreted as a clarion call to create conditions of worldwide chaos and conflict, seen as necessary precursors for the Mahdi's reappearance. To accomplish this, Iran, for the time being, looks to its proxy militias - primarily Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad - to instigate this prescribed chaos and conflict.
Although an acronym, Hamas in Hebrew translates as “violence.”
Judeo-Christian and Zionist Eschatology
Judeo-Christian eschatology, particularly in its Christian formation, shares these themes of a messianic figure, a final battle between good and evil, and a new era of peace. In Jewish eschatology, this centers around the coming of the Messiah, while in Christian eschatology it invokes the Second Coming of Christ.
Both Mahdism in Shiite Islam, particularly among Iran's Twelvers, and Christian Zionism are driven by a belief in actively engaging with and influencing end times prophecy. For Christian Zionists, this often translates into political support for Israel. As previously noted, in Mahdism the end times are hastened by the Iranian funded, and in most cases operationally controlled, agents of chaos and conflict.
In Islamic and Christian eschatologies, the figures of Jesus, the Mahdi and the Antichrist (known as Dajjal in Islam) play distinct roles. In Islamic eschatology, Jesus is revered as a messianic figure who returns to assist the Mahdi. Together, they combat the Dajjal, a deceptive Islamic figure analogous to the Christian concept of the Antichrist.
The Mahdi in Islam is a separate messianic figure, expected to emerge before Jesus' return, to bring about an era of justice and righteousness. In contrast, Christian eschatology does not include the Mahdi and instead focuses on the return of Jesus Christ to defeat the Antichrist and usher in the final judgment and prophesied era of justice and righteousness.
In Christian theology, the Antichrist is portrayed as a figure of great deception, often considered the ultimate opponent of Christ and his teachings. This deceptive figure, expected to appear before the Second Coming of Christ, plays a significant role in the end times narrative by deluding humanity and opposing God’s will.
Geopolitics and Eschatology
Western think tanks, especially those in the United States and Europe, typically have a more secular orientation in their approach to foreign policy and geopolitical analysis. The emphasis is often on political, economic, military and social factors, rather than theological or eschatological ones.
Western foreign policy analysts generally prioritize pragmatic, evidence-based approaches. Theological considerations, especially those related to end times prophecies, are much less likely to explicitly influence policy recommendations or strategic analyses.
In contrast, as we previously noted in the case of Russia and the influence of figures such as Aleksandr Dugin, there is a more explicit integration of theological concepts, including eschatological beliefs, with geopolitical strategy. This is particularly evident in ideologies that combine nationalism with religious identity. The Orthodox Church in Russia, for example, plays a significant role in national identity.
Both Russia and Iran are among the anticipated belligerents in the prophesied end times Gog-Magog War against Israel.7 Many analysts theorize Russia will participate in this battle reluctantly. Russia's involvement in such a conflict likely would be driven by strategic considerations rather than ideological fervor.
If the West, particularly the U.S., paid greater attention to Iranian Shiite eschatology, it might assess their sabre rattling with greater competence and malleability. Additionally, the U.S. might then cease placating and appeasing Iran, an ill-advised policy carried forward from the Obama era.
It is the Twelvers’ mission to hasten the coming of the Mahdi via means of conflict and chaos. For whatever reasons, the U.S. foreign policy apparatus refuses to come to terms with the fact that theocratic Iran is the most dangerous nation in the Middle East owing primarily to its harsh Mahdist theology.
Considering Iran's history of unpredictable actions and its demonstrated indifference to human life, it is prudent to view them as an existential threat to the global community. The adage, “When someone threatens to kill you, take them at their word” is often repeated for good reason and is particularly relevant in this context.
Iran’s new hypersonic missiles purportedly can reach Tel Aviv in 400-seconds.8
The Prophecy of Azariah - (For Those With Ears to Hear)
Now the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded. So he went out to meet King Asa9 and said to him, ‘Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin.
‘The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.’
2 Chronicles 15:2
A solar eclipse is an example of occultation.
“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13)
Who was King Asa in the Bible? (article)