American Christian Zionists’ Media Initiatives Aimed at Influencing Public Opinion, With a Brief Mention of The Concept of Greater Israel
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah [The Exalted] said:
وَإِذَا قُلۡتُمۡ فَٱعۡدِلُواْ وَلَوۡ ڪَانَ ذَا قُرۡبَىٰۖ
And when you testify, be just, even if (it concerns) a near relative. [I]
When you testify by way of a statement to judge between people, differentiate between them in a discourse, and speak regarding matters and circumstances, be just in your speech, adhere to truthfulness regarding those you love and those you hate, be fair and do not conceal what needs to be made clear because it is forbidden and tantamount to injustice to divert (from justice and fairness) when speaking against the one you hate. [II]
This article presents an excerpt from the research conducted by a Muslim researcher on the utilization of media by Christian Zionists, particularly within the United States. The author briefly addresses the financial resources accessible to the organizations, individuals, and groups involved in this initiative, as well as the relationship between the ideologies of Christian Zionists and political dynamics. It also examines the degree to which these individuals have succeeded in supporting those Zionists ascribed to Judaism who perceive Palestine as a divinely promised land. Additionally, the author references a Christian Zionist who advocates for the concept of a Greater Israel, which extends to Saudi Arabia, grounded in their abrogated scriptural interpretations. It is important to acknowledge that the organisations referenced by the author may have undergone changes, or been merged with or acquired by other entities. Consequently, it can be challenging to pinpoint the current status of a specific organisation and its ownership compared to its original state when the researcher initiated the study. Nevertheless, it is a well-established fact that the activities of American Christian Zionists and their backing of the successive administrations preceding Netanyahu are widely recognised to this day. Furthermore, it is important to note that this article solely reflects the author’s research findings regarding some organisations and does not serve as a guide for addressing the agenda of Christian Zionists. Instead, it is left to the senior scholars and their senior students to guide the Ummah in choosing a path aligned with the sound methodologies of the Prophets to counter the misguided notions propagated by various fabricated or abrogated religions. Moreover, this article does not imply that all American Christians are involved in the activities or erroneous beliefs associated with Christian Zionism. It is also essential for us as Muslims to follow the guidance of scholars regarding peaceful coexistence and equitable interactions with non-Muslim neighbours.
American Christian Zionists’ Media Initiatives Aimed at Influencing Public Opinion Through Political, Economic, and Social landscapes, Interpreted Through Old Testament (Abrogated) Scriptures, With a Brief Mention of The Concept of Greater Israel Advocated by an American Cleric
The author said:
The media undoubtedly serves as one of the most significant and perilous avenues for the dissemination and promotion of ideas. Its influence extends across diverse people, governments, society, and individuals, both within and beyond the nation where communication channels are employed. The media landscape, encompassing newspapers, magazines, and audiovisual platforms, has increasingly transcended national borders, especially in contemporary times. The two predominant Zionist ideologies, (namely Christian and Jewish), have historically exercised significant control over numerous media outlets, whether through their establishment, exploitation, or acquisition of intellectual and financial resources. Consequently, the media has evolved into a powerful instrument for Zionist-Christian influence. Various news agencies dominate the dissemination of information globally, and it is widely recognised that news significantly shapes public opinion, influencing both the language used and the substance of the content. Cinemas and film production entities play a significant role in the dissemination of ideas. It is possible that the lectures, seminars, and speeches aimed at providing guidance across various platforms are more extensively utilised by Christian Zionists to promote their beliefs.
Furthermore, articles, interviews, and analyses featured in newspapers and magazines effectively influence public opinion and persuade individuals regarding their intended messages. In addition, books and published pamphlets represent crucial mediums for communication, alongside the influence of scientific theories and philosophical concepts. Many people are attracted to theories and novel concepts, which is why Christian Zionism sought to use them as an effective tool for disseminating its ideals, whether they were among those who created the theories and ideas or among those who rode their waves of popularity. As a result, theories put forth by John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Pascal Blaise, Immanuel Kant, even Isaac Newton, and Joseph Priestley are among some of the most significant approaches that helped propagate Christian Zionism and its ideas. [Also] Zionist beliefs and people’s adherence to them were greatly aided by poets and other authors.
Christian Zionism’s influence is evident in how it uses the following strategies: News Agencies as the primary source of information on global events that other media use. They can choose to spotlight a story by covering it extensively in newspapers and other media, or they can choose to hide and obfuscate it. Propaganda Mediums. There is no doubt that the main news agencies are responsible for any media hype that attracts attention, mobilise supporters, and raises morale, while weakening enemies, and transferring the battle to a global atmosphere, in which there are opportunities for progress and resolution. Theodor Herzl said, “Hype is everything, and the truth is that hype leads to great actions”. [III] In the Zionist Protocols, it is stated that the Zionists must influence non-Zionist governments through public opinion, which they have created through the greatest force, namely the press, which is worthless except in exceptional cases and is within their reach.
The Visible Church
Christian Zionism makes significant use of visual and audio broadcasting means to promote its principles and ideas and to reach as many people as possible through television programs and radio speeches. These methods are known as the electronic church, the “Visual Church”, or religion at prime time. The visual church and its programs have an impact since the majority of its viewers are adults aged forty and over, in particular. This age group comprises the largest and wealthiest electoral bloc in the United States of America, and hence it is of importance to competing politicians in various election campaigns. The fundamentalist church’s call and influence extended beyond the walls of its buildings to millions of people through television screens, satellites, and airwaves, where they preached, Christianized, guided, and educated on Zionist ideas that were meant to be conveyed to the people. The first person to use the term “visible church” was journalist Jim Montgomery in an article in the Wall Street Journal on May 19, 1978, and since that time this expression has been used. The percentage of viewers of the visual church, in statistics for the year 1985, amounted to something nearly 40% of television viewers in general.
Visible churches have substantial financial resources, but possibly most importantly, they rely on contributions from their members, watchers, and supporters. Because of this, the visual church has developed into a lucrative industry thanks to fund-raising efforts through show programs that address social, political, and artistic concerns rather than just religious preaching. As to the figures in 1985, the Christian Radio Network had approximately 233 million dollars in resources. To reach the greatest number of viewers and listeners, the network of visual church stations has grown significantly and is now spread among hundreds of radio and television stations in America. They don’t just broadcast their programs on the network of radio and television stations they own; instead, they buy time slots on other popular stations, pick the best ones to watch, and broadcast their programs enough times to draw in more listeners and viewers. As a result, the way Americans think and behave became greatly influenced by the visible church.
Because of their significant and effective influence, this enormous intellectual source was called the Fifth Estate, while the press was called the Fourth Estate. Relevant statistics show that more than half of Americans watch one or more religious programs at least once a month. According to the Gallup Institute, 52 million Americans watched one or more video church programs on a monthly basis in 1981. In 1983, the number reached 60 million people. According to another estimate released by a religious radio organisation, the number of weekly viewers of the church’s video programs reached 25 million in 1984. Whatever the number, it is certain that the number of listeners and viewers of these programs, as well as those influenced by them, has grown rapidly, and the pioneers of these programs who have become its authors and presenters are “visible stars” in American daily life. The church’s video programs attract different ages of people, including children. According to one statistic, children watching the program “An Hour from the Old Gospel” by the Zionist pastor Jerry Folwell constituted 30% of its total viewers. According to a study conducted by a company specialising in radio and television statistics called Nelson Viewer Composition, viewers of church video programs are men, women, and children, and some of them may be better at attracting women than others. According to a 1980 poll conducted by Christianity Today magazine in collaboration with the Gallup Institute, 85% of watchers and listeners of visual churches became religious after previously not being so. This is because of the programs of Zionist evangelists, which implies that the capacities of these churches, both organisational and technical, are advanced and have a significant economic impact, as well as on their listeners and viewers.
The audio-visual church has helped the Christian Zionist doctrine spread further than its previous supporters and the church has succeeded in convincing many Americans that its ideas represent the majority of American public opinion, which are ideas and readings of contemporary political, economic, and social conditions in light of Old Testament texts. It evaluates the world and its events in light of the scriptures’ prophecies. The majority of visible churches support Christian Zionist ideals and principles, as promoted by proponents of “fundamentalist Christianity.” As a result, the relationship of biblical prophecy to Israel, the second coming of Christ, the gathering of Jews in Palestine, the battle of Har Majdon, and other Zionist beliefs and ideas are central to these church programs, both visual and audible. These visual and audio programs likewise portray “Israel” as sacred based on what is mentioned in their Holy Bible. Especially in the Old Testament, this belief is usually reinforced through political pretexts offered by the speaker in the program supporting the Jewish state “Israel” as an implementation of the Lord’s word. The majority of church men have the ability to influence because they are specialists in the field of media and mass communication sciences, in addition to being familiar with theology, which increases the strength of the impact of their programs, especially since it goes beyond preaching, guidance, and education to consultations, personal and political relationships, social, and sometimes even physical therapy. Visual church programs are growing increasingly popular in the United States of America, and it is difficult to stop their growth.
According to 1985 figures, the number of television network stations for the Visual Church surpassed 1,500. Religious radio stations were projected to number over 1,400, with each broadcasting roughly 17 hours per day – 37 of those programs were time for preaching and religious guidance and 12 for news and interviews. In recent years, their reliance on satellites to broadcast their programs has grown, and it is estimated that half of these stations use satellites. The National Religious Broadcasters Association, which is an association that includes more than 76% of the Christian Zionist television and radio stations in the United States of America and was founded in 1944, indicates in its statistics that it has a thousand television and radio stations involved in its activities, and it also estimates that the number of listeners to the radio stations and members reaches 115 million listeners weekly, and nearly 14 million people are members of visible churches.
The most important media stations for Christian Zionism
At the time this research was conducted, the author stated:
There are numerous Christian Zionist media outlets, some of which are listed below: “CBN station” owned by Christian Zionist Pat Robertson, the son of Willis Robertson, a former senator from Virginia. He was a Yale Law School graduate who employed over 1,300 people to run his aforementioned Christian television network. The network’s central management is situated on 697 acres in a Virginia Beach suburb worth $22 million, and the CBN firm includes CBN, the 700 Club, three television stations, a radio station, an international aid system, and a lobby group. This Christian Zionist channel collaborates with the Middle East Television channel, which transmits from Lebanon’s south. In early 1986, CBN began a half-hour daily news program called “C. with me. The Night News” which was presented in a Zionist-Christian format and the station had 27.3 million viewers. Pat Robertson’s station repeated the belief that the founding of Israel is a fulfilment of Biblical prophecies and a sign of the impending Battle of Armageddon and the Second Coming of Christ. He also stated that “God stands on the side of Israel and not on the side of the terrorist Arabs,” and he spoke of “the great evil that exists among the Arabs because they are enemies of Israel,” and he reiterated that the most important predictive event in our lives is Israel’s seizure of Jerusalem, which indicates the near end of the era of non-Jews. [Footnote a] He named his television and radio station “The Pat Robertson Foundation” to include other work and tasks.
“Baton Rouge” in Louisiana run by the fanatical Christian Zionist, Jimmy Swaggart. Based on data from “Nielsen Media Research”, it is the second most popular Christian Zionist television station. It is a targeted station that is viewed by 9.25 million households.
“The Jim Bakker Show” is America’s third most popular Christian Zionist station. Its founder, Jim Bakker, was a student of Zionist Pat Robertson, and its programs reach approximately 6 million families. His station is lucrative and ranks eighteenth in the country. Annual financial resources are expected to be one hundred million dollars.
“Oral Roberts Station” owned by a Christian Zionist whose programs reach approximately 5.77 families. His station concentrates on the interpretation of the Old Testament and linking it to the major events of the last ages.
The “National Christian Company” was purchased by the Zionist priest Jerry Falwell and its name changed to “Daily Freedom Broadcasting”. It operates (or operated) from Leechburg, Virginia, and offers religious programming 24 hours a day. Its owner, Jerry Folwell, a close friend of former US President George H.W. Bush, frequently asserts through his station that “the re-establishment of Israel among fundamentalist Christians is a fulfillment of biblical prophecies, and every American must make every effort to ensure full support for Israel.” He also states that the Torah’s Book of Genesis declares that Israel’s borders will extend from the Euphrates to the Nile and that the promised territory will include Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Jordan, and Kuwait.
The station of the Zionist priest Kenneth Copeland: He is a fanatic of the Dispensationalist sect, one of the sects of Christian Zionism. In his programs, which reach more than 4.92 million families, he often says “God established modern Israel. We are watching God’s move for Israel. It is a great time to start supporting our government as long as it supports Israel. It is a wonderful time to feel how connected we are to the roots of Abraham”. He also focuses his station’s broadcast on the Battle of Har-Megiddon, the return of Christ, and other principles of Christian Zionism.
Richard DeHaan’s Christian Zionist station had religious programs that transmitted the beliefs and principles of Zionism Christianity to over 4.75 million homes.
Zionist station of Rex Humbard: He was one of the fanatics of the dispensationalist sect. His station’s broadcast reaches more than 3.7 million households. He used to repeat that “God knew from the very beginning that we the ones who live today will destroy the Earth.”
“Voice of Hope” is a Christian Zionist station that was founded by George Otis, a friend of former US President Ronald Reagan. It is a radio station in southern Lebanon that was founded on September 9, 1979, with the collaboration and encouragement of the Jewish “Israeli” government after Israel invaded and occupied southern Lebanon in the summer of 1978. George Otis, the station’s (original) owner, spoke about Israel’s role in its establishment: “Israeli support was a miracle. Did you ever believe the day would arrive when the Jews wanted to establish a Christian station?!” After a few months, George Otis launched a visual station alongside his audio station, naming it “Star of Hope,” and it is sometimes referred to as “Middle East Television.” Pat Robertson, a Zionist pastor, later bought this station. According to reports, more than a hundred American Zionist Christians attended the March 17, 1989 opening ceremony of the new headquarters of the “Voice and Star of Hope” station in the presence of the commander of the Israeli occupation forces in southern Lebanon.
The most influential Christian Zionist programs in American society in particular for viewers in general are the following:
“Decision Hour” program, hosted by Zionist Reverend Billy Graham, is one of the earliest religious programs that began in 1950 and broadcast from nine hundred television and radio stations. “Torah Study” program by the Zionist Billy Graham broadcasted on a thousand radio stations around the world. “A Day of Discovery” program also by Reverend Billy Graham, a daily program watched by more than seven people million families.
“The Old Religious Call Awakening Hour” by the Zionist priest Charles Feller, and one of the most famous old religious programs. It started in 1925, transmitting from Los Angeles, and reached 456 radio stations in the early 1940s. “A Study in the Word” program by Zionist Pastor Jimmy Swaggart is a daily program watched by over 4.58 million families each month. In one of his episodes, he stated, “I feel that the United States of America is connected to Israel by an umbilical birth cord. These ties, I believe, date back to long before the birth of the United States of America, just as the Judeo-Christian concept dates back to Abraham and God’s promise to him; a promise that I believe includes the United States of America because God still says, ‘I bless those who bless Israel, and I curse those who curse it’, and it is God’s grace to the United States of America that it is still strong today, and I am confident that this is due to the fact that it stands behind Israel, and I pray to God that it will always remain a supporter of Israel.”
“The Seven Hundred Clubs” Program or “The Seven Hundred Club” by Christian Zionist Pat Robertson, which is a daily program watched by more than 16.30 million families every month and broadcast for ninety minutes. It is given this name due to the number of viewers in the program. “Weekly Crusade” by Zionist Pastor Jimmy Swaggart, a weekly program watched by more than 9.25 million families every month. “Hour of Power” program by the Zionist Pastor Robert Schuller, which is a weekly program watched by more than 7.64 million families every month. This Zionist priest mentioned, in one of his programs, the text of a message he received from one of the viewers of his program in 1979 in which he said, “Every morning on Sundays, my wife and I sit in front of the TV, and we listen to your program, while we are having tea, and now that I am away from home, I will listen to your program, while I am sitting in my hotel room, while my wife is also listening to you at home. This indicates the passion of Christian listeners for the programs of this evangelical priest.
“Glorify the Lord” program by Zionist Pastor Jim Packer or Jim Baker, which is a daily program watched by more than 5.77 million families every month. “Expect a Miracle” program by Christian Pastor Oral Roberts, a weekly program watched by more than 5,773 million families every month. The “Jerry Falwell Live” program by Zionist Pastor Jerry Folwell, which is a weekly program every Sunday evening received by 34 million homes. “An Hour from the Gospel of the Time” program also by the Zionist Pastor Jerry Folwell is a daily program that is watched by more than 5.6 million families every month and is broadcast on 392 video stations and 500 audible stations.
“Kenneth Copeland Program and Review” by Zionist Pastor Kenneth Copeland, is a weekly program watched by more than 4.92 million families every month. “Discovery Day” program by Zionist Pastor Paul Van Gorder, is a weekly program viewed by more than 4.75 million families every month.
“The Rex Humbard Program and Show” by Christian Zionist Rex Humbard is a weekly program watched by more than 3.7 million families every month. “Israel is America’s Key to Survival” by the Christian Zionist Mike Evans. It is a daily program that is broadcast for an hour a day on more than fifty television stations, covering more than 25 American states, according to a report published in 1983 by this pastor. And due to this, the Zionist pastor said, “There are many Christian activities which focus on the call to protect Israel and cooperate with it, in fulfilment of the texts of the Old Testament”.
Associations and Organisations
Many associations and organisations were founded by Christian Zionists to promote and realise the ideas of Christian Zionism. It is very difficult to list all of the organisations and associations that they founded or attempted to dominate, exploit, and pressure. According to some experts, there are around 250 Christian Zionist organisations in the United States alone. This is not surprising and it is a reality because the “Christian Zionist Lobby” was active for many years before the Jewish “Lobby” was founded. This is because Christian Zionist organisations and associations believe that supporting Israel is not an abstract political or religious obligation, but rather a divine message, and God blesses those who support it. Millions of American and European Zionists began to provide Israel with strength and financial, military, and political protection, out of the belief that supporting Israel is the way. The strongest for the survival, preservation, and victory of those who support it. This religious and political perspective is the main reason for which there has been a proliferation of organisations and associations working and lobbying for the interests of the state of Israel. In this regard, I’d like to highlight the most prominent and well-known Zionist organisations and Christian associations, including the following:
The Pro-Palestinian Federation of America: In 1930, the American Zionist priest Charles Russell founded this organisation. He stated that the purpose of his organisation was to defend the Jewish national homeland. The organisation then held conferences, gave lectures, and held seminars to accomplish this goal.
The Palestinian-American Committee: This organisation was created in 1932, and the committee was led by Zionist Senator “Robert Wagner” and minority leader “Charles McMurray” in 1942. Its membership included 68 senators, almost 200 representatives in the House of Representatives, and dozens of priests and clergy. This organisation stated that its mission was to mobilise non-Jewish Zionist supporters and to raise American public understanding of Zionism, its goals, and achievements in Palestine.
The Palestinian Christian Council Organisation: This organisation was founded in 1942, and the majority of its members were senior Protestant Christian priests. It declared that its goal was to focus attention on Palestine since it is the only homeland for Jews, a land promised by God, and approved by the Balfour Declaration. Sometime after its inception, this organisation amalgamated with the “Palestinian American Committee” to form a new organisation known as “The American Christian Committee of Palestine.”
National Union of Evangelicals: This union was founded in 1942 and later became a Christian Zionist stronghold. It gave birth to many Christian Zionist organisations and associations, which brought together diverse Christian Zionist trends, and worked with American policy both internally and externally. Regardless of what the Union declared, it was founded on the literal inerrancy of the Bible, including prophecies foreshadowing the return of the Jews to Palestine before Christ’s second coming and the establishment of the earthly kingdom.
Christians United for Israel: In 1975, Pastor David Lewis founded this Zionist organisation. It declared that its goal was to bolster Christian Zionist thinking and that it worked to support Zionist objectives and policies as well as Israel. The founder traveled to the Jewish state several times and met officials there. He also met with a defector from the Lebanese army, Saad Haddad, the chief of the Free (South) Lebanese Army, which was pro-Jewish and supported by the Jews. This institution issued a quarterly publication called “The Courier of Jerusalem and the Chosen One of Prophecy” as well as a monthly newsletter. It collaborated with the International Christian Embassy, and the two organisations led tourist groups to Israel and arranged meetings with Jewish politicians for them. In addition, the two organisations took part in Jewish religious celebrations and advocated for the Jewish state in American media and governmental institutions. And within the scope of this effort, anyone with moderate opinions, whether politicians, journalists, or writers, as well as everyone who speaks out against Israel, are defamed.
The Moral Majority: Jerry Falwell, an American Zionist priest, founded this association or organisation in 1979. It declared that “spreading traditional Christian morals” was its primary objective, and further stated that it aims is to achieve the following goals:
To oppose abortion, homosexuality, the legalisation of the rights of homosexuals and lesbians. [Footnote b] Stop the ban on prayer in schools. Fight against communism, provide a strong defencee for the United States of America, oppose the nuclear freeze, and waiting for the nuclear battle of Har-Mageddon between the forces of good and the forces of evil. [Footnote c] Support the State of “Israel” without conditions, [Footnote d] convince the world that they (i.e. the Zionists) have a historical, theological, and legal right to the “Land of Israel,” as God is the one who determines its borders.
This organization has leadership at the national level headed by Jerry Falwell called “National Leadership of the Moral Majority” and branches throughout the United States of America. Its membership reached 6.5 million and its communications more than 25 million Americans. It has strong connections to the White House and Congress, which is why it took the path of “lobbying”, including financial support for candidates for political office who hold Zionist ideology, and it also made persuasive efforts through the “Falwell” radio network and television.
The “Religious Round Table” organisation
Several Christian Zionist leaders, including Pastor Jerry Falwell of the “Moral Majority” and Paul Weyrich of the Zionist political organisation “Free Congress Foundation”, founded this organisation in September 1979. Under the leadership of Zionist priest Edward McAteer, this organisation established branches in most American United States. It declared that its objective is to organise seminars to educate religious people about politics and to set up meetings between political leaders and leaders of Fundamentalist Christianity and Evangelicalism in general. At the start of 1980, fourteen seminars were held, one of which was attended by Ronald Reagan, the American presidential candidate. The number of people that attended these seminars was estimated at forty.
One of the most prominent activities of this organisation is the annual “Prayer Breakfast” to pray for Israel and support its policies and aims. It also has a habit of performing a prayer in which Israel is blessed, with the signatures of more than fifty million Zionist Christians who believe in the Torah. [Footnote a] Religious and political leaders, businesses, and US government representatives all attend these parties. In 1983, the “Prayer Breakfast Conference for Israel” was held in the US capital, then a statement was issued to “confirm the call of the US to cooperate with Israel in fulfillment of the texts of the Torah, and its call to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
International Christian Embassy
This Christian-Zionist organisation was established in occupied Jerusalem in 1980 after the Israeli Jewish government’s decision to consider Jerusalem a unified and eternal capital for Israel. It was stated in the founding document of the organisation: “It is clear that God alone established this international Christian embassy in these critical hours to comfort Zion and a new response of love for Israel”. Jan Van Der Hoven, the organisation’s president, and founder, stated: “We are more Zionist than the Israelis themselves. Jerusalem is the only city that receives the Lord’s attention and the Lord has given this land to Israel forever”. This organisation maintains that there will be no place for the second coming of Christ if Israel does not exist. In addition to protecting and assisting Israel, it also backs its expansionist policies and proclaims that the West Bank and Gaza are divinely granted rights for the Jewish people. To support Israel’s economic growth in the areas of industry and tourism, it established an international investment fund and urged everyone to resist the Arab boycott of the country. It has established centers in over 40 countries worldwide. In the United States alone, the organisation has 22 branches spread across 22 states. At each branch, there is a bishop holding the rank of consul, whose duties include coordinating gatherings and rallies in support of Israel, soliciting financial contributions and aid, selling bonds in support of the country, and establishing direct communication with decision-makers to get Jerusalem recognised as Israel’s eternal capital. The US Congress’s first resolution, passed in April 1990, urging the US government to acknowledge Jerusalem as Israel’s eternal and united capital, was greatly influenced by this organisation. Apart from organising periodic conferences in Jerusalem, this organization’s most significant endeavour is probably organising the yearly Christian Zionist Conference, which takes place in the same location as Zionism’s initial founding conference in Basel, Switzerland.
“National Christian Leadership for Israel”
This “organised” leadership was founded in 1980 by a gathering of several Christian Zionist groups and organisations, initiated by Franklin Little. According to Paul Findley, “The goal of this Christian Zionist gathering in various activities, includes religious theology through lectures and seminars, including conferences and organising marches, organised means of pressure, concern for the survival, support, and well-being of Israel, books and publications.” It held an annual conference in the American capital, Washington, to serve Israel and call for its protection, and it is attended by members of the US Congress. On the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the end of World War II, it issued a statement to all Christians, saying, “Give special attention to the meaning of Israel in the thought, faith, and life of the Jewish people throughout its long history, and raise your voices loudly against anti-Semitism, which hides behind anti-Zionism”. [Footnote a] The statement also called the United Nations General Assembly’s resolution calling Zionism a form of racism a scandal that must be expunged from the UN record. This leadership organisation is considered one of the strongest Zionist Christian pressure groups.
The American Coalition for Traditional Values
During President Ronald Reagan’s administration, Christian Zionist organisations and the conservative political right formed several coalitions intending to jointly influence internal and exterior political trends in the United States. Among these coalitions, the most well-known was the “American Coalition for Traditional Values,” which promoted Christian Zionist ideals and values and exerted pressure to support, defend, and protect Israel.
This coalition was established in 1984 by several Christian Zionist leaders and organisations, including the “Moral Majority” organisation. Tim LaHaye, a Zionist priest, led this coalition. The group published a monthly magazine named “Voice of Christianity” that had a circulation of about one million two hundred thousand copies.
National Christian Congress Organisation: This organisation was established in 1980 with the stated goal of uniting Christians of all sects and organisations for the Jewish national homeland. Representatives from the National Council of Churches attended its establishment ceremony. Republican representative from New York, Jack Kemp, spoke at the opening ceremony and stated in his speech that the establishment of Israel in 1948 was a fulfilment of biblical prophecy.
Great Adventure – a Christian, political, and religious Zionist organisation founded by Zionist priest George Artis, one of the most prominent American Zionists and a close friend of former American President Ronald Reagan. This organisation stated that it is founded on the premise of the literal inerrancy of the Old Testament, that it believes in the impact of modern Israel in bringing the date of Christ’s second return closer, and that it is committed “to supporting Israel and defending its policies; the belief that the entire Holy Land is the inheritance of the Jewish people, inalienable and unchangeable and that it is the promise given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and that the establishment of modern Israel is an undisputed fulfilment of biblical prophecy and a harbinger of the second coming of Christ; and that the Jews anywhere are still God’s chosen people and God blesses those who bless them”. This organisation is regarded as the first Christian Zionist organisation in the contemporary period to create a visible and audible church on Arab land controlled by Zionists in southern Lebanon in 1979, in collaboration with the Zionist state and a defector from the Lebanese army Saad Haddad. It has various publications, in addition to the Visible Church, that exalt Zionists and claim that the establishment of a state for them in Palestine is linked to the second coming of Christ. [End of quote: An Excerpt from “As-Sahyuniyyah An-Nasraaniyyah, Diraasah Fee Daw’’ Al-Aqeedah Al-Islaamiyyah” pages 344-378]
In the discourse presented by the author, it becomes evident that these organizations perceive their support for Israel as a sacred duty. They believe that the return of Jews to Palestine signifies not only the advent of Christ but also heralds the prophesied end of times. While earlier scriptures, including the Injeel and the Torah, recount narratives concerning the signs of the end, particularly the Injeel’s references to the return of Isa, peace be upon him, it is ultimately the infallible final revelation—the Qur’an and Sunnah, bestowed upon the last of the Prophets, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him—that serves as the definitive guide to understanding the events of the end of times.
Consequently, it is not permissible to revisit the following issues: the accounts of individuals from the (abrogated) Scriptures, personal opinions and dreams, unreliable and false narrations, analogical reasoning, as well as political, economic, or socialist analyses. This is due to the fact that the narrations concerning trials and tribulations, the signs of the Hour, and the conflicts that will arise pertain to matters of Religion, which is Tawqeefee (meaning its foundations can only be derived from the divine texts of the Qur’an and the authentic Sunnah). Therefore, any authentic reports from the Prophet regarding (forthcoming events) must be accepted by a Muslim, regardless of whether they align with rational thought, as this embodies the essence of one’s declaration that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Allah said:
وَمَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوَىٰ
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا وَحْيٌ يُوحَىٰ
Nor does he (Muhammad) speak of (his own) desire. It is only an Inspiration that is inspired. [Surah an-Najm. 3]
Allah (The Most High) said:
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُو
And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad) gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)].[Surah Al-Hashr. 7]
Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, reported: One day while we were sitting with Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] there appeared before us a man whose clothes were exceedingly white and whose hair was exceedingly black; no signs of journeying were to be seen on him and none of us knew him. He walked up and sat down by the prophet. Resting his knees against his and placing the palms of his hands on his thighs, he said: “O Muhammad, tell me about Islam”. The messenger of Allah said: “Islam is to testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah, to perform the prayers, to pay the zakat, to fast in Ramadan, and to make the pilgrimage to the House if you are able to do so.” He said: “You have spoken rightly’’ And we were amazed at him asking him and saying that he had spoken rightly. He said: “Then tell me about Iman.” He said: ”It is to believe in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, and the Last Day, and to believe in divine destiny, both the good and the evil thereof.” He said: “You have spoken rightly”. He said: “Then tell me about Ihsan.” He said: “It is to worship Allah as though you are seeing Him, and while you see Him not yet truly He sees you”. He said: “Then tell me about the Hour”. He said: “The one questioned about it knows no better than the questioner.” He said: “Then tell me about its signs.” He said: “That the slave-girl will give birth to her mistress and that you will see the barefooted, naked, destitute herdsman competing in constructing lofty buildings.” Then he took himself off and I stayed for a time. Then he said: “O Umar, do you know who the questioner was?” I said: “Allah and His messenger know best”. He said: “He was Gibreel (Gabriel), who came to you to teach you your religion”. [Reported by Muslim. Kitaab al-Imaan. Chapter: Imaan, Islaam and Ihsaan. Hadeeth Number: 8]
The testimony in this hadeeth is the statement of the Prophet, “He was Gibreel, who came to you to teach you your religion”. Therefore, the principle in the preceding hadeeth is that the Prophet asked a question concerning the Hour and its circumstances, and he established that it is something contained in religion. The trials and tribulations, circumstances, and strife associated with the (portents) of the Hour are from the religion, and it is not for anybody to speak about it based on their own (opinions, views, analysis, interpretations, etc.).” [An Excerpt from Mawqiful Muslim Minal Fitan. Pages 15-18]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The Hour will not be established till two big groups fight each other whereupon there will be a great number of casualties on both sides and they will be following one and the same path, till about thirty Dajjals (liars) appear and each one of them will claim that he is Allah’s Messenger, till religious knowledge is taken away (by the death of Religious scholars), earthquakes will increase in number; time will pass quickly, afflictions will appear, Al-Harj, (i.e., killing) will increase, till wealth will be in abundance – so abundant that a wealthy person will worry lest nobody should accept his Zakat, and whenever he will present it to someone, that person (to whom it will be offered) will say, ‘I am not in need of it, till the people compete with one another in constructing high buildings, till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, ‘Would that I were in his place’ and till the sun rises from the West. So when the sun will rise and the people will see it (rising from the West) they will all believe (accept Islam) but that will be the time when: (as Allah said) [لاَ يَنْفَعُ نَفْسًا إِيمَانُهَا لَمْ تَكُنْ آمَنَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ، أَوْ كَسَبَتْ فِي إِيمَانِهَا خَيْرًا – no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believed not before, nor earned good (by performing deeds of righteousness) through his Faith]. And the Hour will be established while two men spreading a garment in front of them but they will not be able to sell it, nor fold it up, and Hour will be established when a man has milked his she-camel and has taken away the milk but he will not be able to drink it, and Hour will be established before a man repairing a tank (for his livestock) is able to water (his animals) in it, and Hour will be established when a person has raised a morsel (of food) to his mouth but will not be able to eat it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari. Hadeeth Number 7121]
Abu Zaid -Amr Bin Akhtab [may Allah be pleased with him] reported: Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] led us in the dawn prayer and then mounted the pulpit and addressed us until it was (time for the) noon prayer. He then came down the pulpit and observed prayer and then again mounted the pulpit and again addressed us until it was time for the ‘Asr prayer. He then again came down and observed the prayer and again mounted the pulpit and addressed us until the sun was set and he informed (us about) everything (pertaining to turmoil) that lay hidden in the past and what lies in (the womb) of) the future and the most learned amongst us is one who remembers them well. [ Saheeh Muslim 2892]
Imaam Muslim said: Chapter: The Conquest Of Constantinople, The Emergence Of The Dajjal And The Descent Of ‘Isa Bin Maryam [peace be upon him]: Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: The Last Hour would not come until the Romans would land at al-A’maq or in Dabiq. An army consisting of the best (soldiers) of the people of the earth at that time will come from Medina (to counteract them). When they will arrange themselves in ranks, the Romans would say: Do not stand between us and those (Muslims) who took prisoners from amongst us. Let us fight with them; and the Muslims would say: Nay, by Allah, we would never get aside from you and from our brethren that you may fight them. They will then fight and a third (part) of the army would run away, whom Allah will never forgive. A third (part of the army) which would be constituted of excellent martyrs in Allah’s eye, would be killed and the third who would never be put to trial would win and they would be conquerors of Constantinople. And as they would be busy distributing the spoils of war (amongst themselves) after hanging their swords by the olive trees, Satan would cry: The Dajjal has taken your place among your family. They would then come out, but it would be of no avail. And when they would come to Syria, he would come out while they would be still preparing themselves for battle drawing up the ranks. Certainly, the time of prayer shall come, and then Jesus (peace be upon him) son of Mary would descend and would lead them. When the enemy of Allah would see him, it would (disappear) just as the salt dissolves itself in water, and if he (Jesus) were not to confront them at all, even then it would dissolve completely, but Allah would kill them by his hand and he would show them their blood on his lance (the lance of Jesus Christ). [Saheeh Muslim. 2897]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “By Allah in Whose Hands my soul is, son of Mary (Jesus) will shortly descend amongst you people (Muslims) as a just ruler and will break the Cross and kill the pig and abolish the Jizya (a tax taken from the non-Muslims, who are in the protection, of the Muslim government). Then wealth will be abundant and nobody will accept charitable gifts”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari 2222]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “What would you do when the son of Mary would descend amongst you and would lead you as one amongst you? Ibn Abi Dhi’b on the authority of Abu Huraira narrated: Your leader amongst you. Ibn Abi Dhi’b said: Do you know what the words:” He would lead as one amongst you” mean? I said: Explain these to me. He said: He would lead you according to the Book of your: Lord (hallowed be He and most exalted) and the Sunnah of your Messenger”. [Sahih Muslim 155]
Hudhaifah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] stood before us one day and he did not leave anything unsaid (that he had to say) at that very spot which would happen (in the shape of turmoil) up to the Last Hour. Those who had to remember them preserved them in their minds and those who could not remember them forgot them. My friends knew them and certain things slip out of my mind, but I recapitulate them when anyone makes a mention of them just as a person is lost from one’s mind but is recalled to him upon seeing his face. [Sahih Muslim 2891]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said: The Last Hour would not come before the Euphrates uncovers a mountain of gold, for which people would fight. Ninety-nine out of each one hundred would die but every man amongst them would say that perhaps he would be the one who would be saved (and thus possess this gold). [Sahih Muslim 2894]
The Beast:
Allah says: [وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلۡقَوۡلُ عَلَيۡہِمۡ أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُواْ بِـَٔايَـٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ – And when the Word (of torment) is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them, which will speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayat (Verses of the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad)]
Imam As-Sadi [may Allah have mercy upon him] commented: Meaning, when the time comes for the warning, which Allah has decided; [أَخۡرَجۡنَا لَهُمۡ دَآبَّةً۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ – We shall bring out from the earth a beast to them] or one of the earth’s beasts, rather than the heavens. This beast [تُكَلِّمُهُمۡ – will speak to them]; Meaning, it would speak to the people about how they did not believe with certainty in Our (i.e. Allah’s) signs due to a lack of knowledge and certainty in Allah’s signs. So Allah will make this beast appear as one of His amazing signs to manifest to the people what they doubted. This beast is the well-known beast that will appear at the end of time, and it will be one of the (major) signs indicating the approach of the Day of Judgement, as mentioned in many Prophetic narrations. [An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi]
Abu Umaamah [may Allah be pleased with him] narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “The beast will emerge and strike the people on their noses, then their numbers will increase among you until a man will buy a camel and they will say, ‘Who did you buy it from?’ and he will say, ‘I bought it from one of those with a mark on their noses’”. [Reported by Imaam Ahmad 22362 and declared authentic by Imaam Al Albaanee in As-Sisilah As-Saheehah. Number 322]
Anas [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “The Hour will not occur until ‘Allah, Allah’ is not said on earth.” [Sahih Muslim 148]
Abu Hurairah [may Allah be pleased with him] said that Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, “When three things appear, faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from his faith: the rising of the sun in its place of setting, the Dajjal, and the beast of the earth”. [Sahih Muslim. Number 158]
Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] as follows: “In the Qur’an and authentic Ahaadeeth there are numerous reports regarding that which will take place in the Dunyah and Aakhirah, and affairs that occurred perfectly after the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] spoke about them many years before their occurrence, such as his statement: ‘The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Turks; people with small eyes, red faces, and flat noses. Their faces will look like shields coated with leather. The Hour will not be established till you fight with people whose shoes are made of hair”. [Sahih Al-Bukhari. Number 2928]
Those amongst the Muslims – who saw and fought those Turks when their king Genghis Khan appeared, his children and grandchildren, such as Hulagu Khan and other than him amongst the disbelieving kings- could not describe them better than how the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] described them [i.e. even though he did not meet them]. He stated this 600 years before its occurrence. [An Excerpt from Al-Jawab As-Sahih 2/65-67]
The People of The Scripture Have Abandoned The Right Path
Shaikh Al-Islam ibn Taymiyyah [may Allah have mercy upon him] stated: The People of the Scripture who came after the abrogation and replacement of (the Torah and the Injeel) are neither those who believed in Allah and the Last Day nor those who worked righteous deeds. They disbelieved because either they substituted the religion of the Messiah [peace be upon him], belied him, or belied Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] in various affairs. The verses of the Qur’an (regarding this affair) are clear and many – transmitted in abundance and known by necessity in the Religion of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. However, these Christians approach the Qur’an in the same way they approach the Torah and the Injeel – making undue claims on the Muhkamaat [i.e. the very clear texts], whilst clinging onto the Mutashaabih [i.e. the ambiguous texts that must be referred back to the clear texts to explain their intended meanings], even though in them there is that which is in opposition to what they desire. [Al-Jawab As-Sahih 2/234]
[I] Translator: Shaikh Abu Iyaad. NobleQur’an
[II] An Excerpt from Tafseer as-Sadi. Slightly paraphrased
[III] Theodor Herzl is the god father of Zionism. Source: “Asaaleeb Al-Ghazwah al-Fikree. page 164