Now with "peace and safety" being forced upon Israel by the world and the UN, hints of the final days are approaching.

For religious Jews, it's gogumogog [Armageddon], and the coming of the Mashiach. "Gog" the leader of the "Mogog" is identified by the prophet Ezekiel (chapter 38) as the one who leads the war against Israel and Jerusalem.

There is no doubt as to who is leading this war against Israel now: Mahmoud Ahmady Nejad, the 6th President of Iran. And Mahmoud, may I call him Mahmoud?, has promised the world an answer to its nuclear ambitions on August 22, 2006. Before I tell you what that answer might be, let me explain what establishing peace and justice on earth means to Muslims: by forcing Islam as the one and only global religion.

Here's something frightening to think about:

Opinion Journal,
8 Aug 2006,
Bernard Lewis
August 22
Does Iran have something in store?

In Islam, as in Judaism and Christianity, there are certain beliefs concerning the cosmic struggle at the end of time--Gog and Magog, anti-Christ, Armageddon, and for Shiite Muslims, the long awaited return of the Hidden Imam, ending in the final victory of the forces of good over evil, however these may be defined. Mr. Ahmadinejad and his followers clearly believe that this time is now, and that the terminal struggle has already begun and is indeed well advanced. It may even have a date, indicated by several references by the Iranian president to giving his final answer to the U.S. about nuclear development by Aug. 22. This was at first reported as "by the end of August," but Mr. Ahmadinejad's statement was more precise.
What is the significance of Aug. 22? This year, Aug. 22 corresponds, in the Islamic calendar, to the 27th day of the month of Rajab of the year 1427. This, by tradition, is the night when many Muslims commemorate the night flight of the prophet Muhammad on the winged horse Buraq, first to "the farthest mosque," usually identified with Jerusalem, and then to heaven and back (c.f., Koran XVII.1). This might well be deemed an appropriate date for the apocalyptic ending of Israel and if necessary of the world. It is far from certain that Mr. Ahmadinejad plans any such cataclysmic events precisely for Aug. 22. But it would be wise to bear the possibility in mind.

A passage from the Ayatollah Khomeini, quoted in an 11th-grade Iranian schoolbook, is revealing. "I am decisively announcing to the whole world that if the world-devourers [i.e., the infidel powers] wish to stand against our religion, we will stand against their whole world and will not cease until the annihilation of all them. Either we all become free, or we will go to the greater freedom which is martyrdom. Either we shake one another's hands in joy at the victory of Islam in the world, or all of us will turn to eternal life and martyrdom. In both cases, victory and success are ours."

In this context, mutual assured destruction, the deterrent that worked so well during the Cold War, would have no meaning. At the end of time, there will be general destruction anyway. What will matter will be the final destination of the dead--hell for the infidels, and heaven for the believers. For people with this mindset, MAD is not a constraint; it is an inducement.

Related Blogposts:

Fresh Bilge,
12 Aug 2006,
Flood Stage

[the terror plot to kill thousands on American planes coming home to the US from England] was intended to be part of the ramp-up to even larger events — possibly an Iranian nuclear EMP attack on Israel, set for August 22, to make a great light over Jerusalem, in accord with prophecy. Iran has hosted Al Qaeda leaders, and it seems plausible to me that some top Iranians were briefed on this latest Al Qaeda project. They may even have coordinated plans. As a result, the British bust may have interrupted the schedule of larger events. But it will only be a sort reprieve at best. The jihad tide is running, and soon it will reach flood-stage.T

Robert Spencer - frontpagemag - Iran's Day of Terror?, Excerpt:

Certainly a nuclear attack on Jerusalem or even an all-out conventional assault against Israel by Iran would be consistent with Ahmadinejad's oft-repeated denials of Israel's right to exist and recent predictions that its demise was at hand. He hinted at the use of nuclear weapons in his phrasing when he said that Israel "pushed the button of its own destruction" by finally retaliating against Hezbollah's relentless rocket barrage from south Lebanon.

"Arrogant powers," Ahmadinejad said, "have set up a base for themselves to threaten and plunder nations in the region. But today, the occupier regime" – that is, Israel – "whose philosophy is based on threats, massacre and invasion, has reached its finishing line."

Will he attempt to make good on these threats this year on the anniversary of the Miraj, illuminating the night sky over Jerusalem? Will Western powers heed Farid Ghadry's words and move to stop Iran before it is too late?

Noblesse Oblige - UK Terror Plotters Associates of Daniel Pearl’s Killers, Excerpt: The ringleader of the Islamofascist terrorists who plotted to bomb UK planes is an affiliate of Jaish-e-Mohammed, the terror group that killed and beheaded journalist Daniel Pearl. Rashid Rauf who authorities believe to be the ringleader, is affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Visit Mahmoud Ahmady Nejad's blog and vote on "Do you think that the U.S. and Israeli intention and goal by attacking Lebanon is pulling the trigger for another world war?"
Warning though, make sure you have anti-virus software running because it may be a trap for Israelis.

blue crab boulevard - Hezbollah Increase Rocketing Of Civilians, Excerpt: Despite the "acceptance" of the UN ceasefire by Hezbollah, the number of rockets fired at civilians by the terrorists increased to over 215 on Sunday alone.

captain's quarters - lebanon about to fall, Excerpt: The cease-fire agreement appears to have created a crisis in Lebanon's government, as a Cabinet meeting of Siniora's government has been abruptly cancelled. The Cabinet was supposed to vote on a plan to deploy their army into southern Lebanon and to displace Hezbollah. That has now been indefinitely delayed -- which means that Israel is not bound by the agreement to stop fighting.

wizbang - Hezbollah Official Says Israel Can Be Destroyed...Soon, Excerpt:

Hezbollah sees the cease-fire as a defeat for Israel. Now the terrorist organization is even more convinced that Israel can be destroyed:

As the war reaches an end, more and more worrisome voices are heard from Arab nations, asking loudly and boldly if the 'triumph' against Israel in Lebanon will advance 'the day in which Israel will disappear'.

Ahmed Barakat, a member of Hezbollah's central council, said in an interview to Qatari newspaper al-Watan that "Today Arab and Muslim society is reasonably certain that the defeat of Israel is possible and that countdown to the disappearance of the Zionist entity in the region has begun."

all things beautiful Blog, "To Be, Or To Cease Fire" That Is The Question (UPDATED)

It's an important debate, but one held in the dark. We don't know what Olmert and Peretz learned from massive intelligence obtained during the past 4 weeks. However, until we do, it is hard to resist judging that both may have shown themselves to be poor strategists.

Dan Halutz, Israel's chief of staff, too. One or more of them will probably have to pay the price. They have failed to realise the political importance of tangible military gains and have relied on an implied threat of force. The aerial prelude has actually worked to Hezbollah's advantage since it has turned world opinion around, making Israel the culprit. [...]

pirate's cove, Iran: Disarming Hezbollah "Illogical”

And in an amazing coincidence, Iran sounds much like the American Left:

TEHRAN (Reuters) -Iran welcomed on Sunday a planned ceasefire to halt the month-long war between Lebanon's Hizbollah and Israel but described the U.N. Security Council's call for disarming the Iranian-backed group as "illogical."

Nasrallah Calls Off Ceasefire!

This news is from DEBKAfile:

August 13, 2006, 10:03 PM (GMT+02:00)

Hamadi information minister, a Druze, said Sunday night that Nasrallah had broken his word to order Hizballah fighters south of the Litani to hand in their weapons to allow Lebanese army troops to be deployed there.

Atlas Shrugs - Beijing's View: Rice Sidelines Rumsfeld and Cheney< excerpt:

The following is as good an overview of the current world crisis as I have ever seen from China Confidential.

In Lebanon, Hezbollah is effectively running the show and about to take over the military, which is 70 percent Shiite. Nothing can stand in the way of Hezbollah's power grab and mainstreaming. The organization's sponsor and paymaster, Iran, has thus won its proxy war with Israel and the US, significantly strengthening Tehran's hand with respect to the nuclear impasse.

But wait, you complain, Iran doesn't have nukes, so all this speculation is in vain. Suzie at Assorted Babble has distressing text from Joel C. Rosenberg on Iran's nuclear ambitions and capabilities in her post Iran and August 22 Significance , Excerpt: When I interviewed President Reagan's Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger in February of this year (just a few weeks, as it turned out, before he passed away), he told me on the record that he believed Iran had already gone nuclear and this was why Ahmadinejad was speaking so boldly and provocatively. [read more of Rosenberg]

All this is too horrible to be possibly true. But 70 years ago, German Jews shut their eyes to a reality that was also too horrible to believe. They ignored the warning signs at their peril.

indigo red - Can the Hand of God be forced?, Excerpt:

Not much of a god that can be forced to do something by mere mortals that a true god could simply ignore or flick out of existence. This just seems to me to be the epitome of Muslim arrogance. They not only believe they are better than Jews, Americans, and everyone else - I can accept that, but the belief they are also superior to their own god, that the hand of god can be forced is beyond comprehension.