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For Iran war is essential for the appearing of their antichrist Mahdi
Iran sees war (especially against Israel) as essential for the emergence of their end-times religious leader, the Mahdi (who is in many ways the equivalent of the end-times antichrist of the Bible). They depict their Mahdi as an islamic religious leader who will provide a divine intervention on behalf of his islamic servants in a time of chaos in the end-times of this world. Iranian Twelver Shi’ite Islam holds the Mahdi as a crucial messianic figure. He is believed to return during a period of chaos to establish justice and defeat tyranny. This belief significantly shapes Iran’s political and military strategies. (AI) In particular, this refers to the chaos ensuing from conflict with Israel whom they seek to eventually totally destroy. So, if Iran is seeking for their Mahdi to appear in these days (according to their Twelver-shia theology), then they must continue in warfare; any peace agreement or genuine ceasefire (especially involving Israel) would be counterproductive to his appearance. It is clear that Iran’s extremist theology must dominate Iran’s current planning goals; therefore, despite their rhetoric and public mouthing-off, Iran will seek war without any option for ceasefire or peace agreement, especially against Israel until Israel is annihilated.
Likewise, many in Israel today (especially hardline Israelis) believe that the suffering of extreme warfare is necessary to provoke divine intervention from God as their ultimate protector. Many believe that the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30) – when God declares Israel to be terminal without any cure because of their iniquity – is required before their Messiah returns to miraculously intervene and rescue them. Hardline Israelis often invoke religious beliefs to support their military actions. This perspective is prevalent among certain political leaders and factions within Israel. They believe that their actions are not only justified but also divinely sanctioned. (AI) The idea that Israel requires war to invoke divine intervention is a perspective held by some individuals. They believe that conflict may lead to a situation where God steps in to protect or rescue Israel. This view often references biblical narratives where divine assistance follows acts of war or struggle. (AI) Not only do they seek conflict to invoke their God to divine retribution, they are also actively seeking a qualified red heifer to sacrifice as a prerequisite to the building of the Third Temple in Jerusalem. The rebuilding of the Third Temple is closely linked to the coming of the Messiah. According to Jewish tradition, the appearance of a qualified red heifer is seen as a sign that the Messiah’s arrival is imminent. (AI) The heifer must be completely red without spots or blemishes, and must never have been yoked or put to labour. Many in Israel today would do whatever they think is necessary to hasten the appearance of their Messiah, even if it meant risking the total destruction of Israel.
Both Iran (as the hardline proponents of the alleged coming Mahdi) and Israel (in seeking the necessary conditions for the return of their Messiah) may be actively seeking warfare and its ensuing chaos. But, while mainly hardline Israelis seek warfare as a means to the return of their Messiah, it is the religious policy of the nation of Iran (as set out by their extremist religious leaders) that if their Mahdi is to return, it must be via extreme warfare and suffering. In particular, such conflict especially must involve that which leads to the destruction of Israel. Therefore, while they seek the total annihilation of Israel, the return of their Mahdi has as much to do with the actual chaos of the warfare itself rather than simply the end of Israel.
Thus the policy of the Twelver-shia religious leaders of Iran is to do what they believe it takes for the return of their Mahdi. To this end they will seek war and its ensuing chaos which they believe will prepare the world for their 12th and final religious leader (thus the name Twelver-shia). For Iran, a genuine peace deal or compromise is counterproductive to the return of the Mahdi; only the chaos of war will cause him to appear. Note that He is believed to return during a period of chaos to establish justice and defeat tyranny. This belief significantly shapes Iran’s political and military strategies. (AI) So, no matter what Iran says regarding peace discussions, they do not see peace as an option. Only the chaos of war will suffice. The Mahdi is the one they claim will establish a global islamic caliphate under sharia law. The Mahdi is believed in Islamic eschatology to be a messianic figure who will lead Muslims and establish a global Islamic caliphate before the Day of Judgment. (AI) All the world will be turned to Islam during his rule (according to their theology). It is generally supposed that all who do not submit to Islam will be destroyed as infidels. Twelver Shi’ism teaches that those who do not accept its beliefs may face severe consequences, including destruction, particularly during the return of the Mahdi. (AI)
Therefore if these are the end-times, then Iran’s goal will be to escalate the war in the middle-east, especially against Israel. It is best to ignore much of what they might say because they do excel at lies and deception; this is part of their theology to those outside their belief group. They may talk of ceasefires which they call hudna (that is, temporary and strategic ceasefires for the purpose of regrouping for further fighting) and then use the time to put new warfare plans in place. Lying to others is acceptable, even required, as long as the others are not of their Twelver-shia beliefs. Their words of promised peace cannot be trusted and their ceasefires only serve to prepare themselves for further conflict. All deception (including for warfare) is not only permissible but also required if it leads to the appearing of their Mahdi. Whatever it takes for his appearing is the underlying reasoning for all their current planning especially to do with warfare and particularly with Israel.
Note that in islam (particularly in Shia beliefs) it is considered legitimate to conceal the truth (particularly from non-believers) either by silence or omission. Truth is only required to be spoken to those who know the truth, that is, others of the same theology. This legitimate lying is known as kitmān. This teaching not only permits but requires its followers to protect their theology by avoiding the truth where such truth might compromise their actions.
Currently Iran appears to be leaving Israel (the “little satan”) alone; no serious warfare has been declared against them for some time; it has mainly focused upon surrounding islamic states (most of whom they declare to be too lax in their islamic beliefs) and, of course, USA (which they call the “big satan” or “great satan”). However, despite appearing to be so, the destruction of Israel and its resulting chaos will continue to be foremost in their planning, noting that deception (kitmān) is a key aspect of their warfare against Israel. They might appear to be leaving Israel alone but this is, like much of their decision-making, a deception. Therefore, expect Iran (probably with their allies such as Russia, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia and the terrorist proxies of Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen) to lash out at Israel sometime soon.
Regardless of appearances, Iran (with their allies) will eventually (and probably very soon) declare full scale war on Israel including troops invasion. If Iran were to leave Israel alone, then their Mahdi may not appear; this is an unacceptable option. Their warfare with other surrounding nations is largely a smokescreen, another of their deceptions. (With Iran one must firstly always look for all possible deceptions before accepting their word as truth.) It is the chaos of warfare with Israel that will best lead to the Mahdi’s appearance, the one they believe will lead them to rule in a global islamic caliphate; therefore any talk or appearance of leaving Israel alone is kitmān. Other nations may be turned to Islam, but Israel won’t, and Iran knows this; it must be destroyed before the caliphate can become global. Iran’s Twelver-shia theology will accept the eventual annihilation of Israel as their only option here, no matter what it might appear like.
Of course, the Mahdi is the equivalent of the biblical antichrist. The antichrist, too, will promise to lead the world into an era of peace, justice and prosperity. He will take seven years to attempt to rule over a one-world government; then Armageddon arrives with the destruction (by Christ the Messiah) of the antichrist (the beast of Revelation) and all his armies who have declared war on Jerusalem and God’s people Israel. Likewise, the Mahdi (another name for the beast) will suffer the same fate. There will be no global islamic caliphate, but a millennial rule of peace by Christ the Messiah.
Revelation 19:20-21 – And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Revelation 20:4 – And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Footnote:
It must be noted that ultimately it will be the sovereign God of the Bible who will determine exactly when Iran and allies attack and invade Israel. Ezekiel 38 says a lot about this current middle-east conflict; and in Ezekiel 38:4 it proclaims that God will put hooks in their jaws and draw (or drag) them into battle against Israel. This will occur when God says it will. Iran may have an extreme hatred for Israel (and God will use this hatred to draw them into battle against His people Israel) but Iran no longer controls the agenda. God will use Iran’s hatred of Israel to ultimately destroy the armies (mostly islamic) who attack and invade Israel (Ezekiel 39:1-16). The God of the Bible has spoken and Iran cannot overrule His prophecies.
Iran creates conflict with Israel to usher in a worldwide Islamic caliphate
That is, Iran’s leaders believe that creating conditions of conflict and chaos especially with Israel can hasten the return of the one they call Mahdi (who does appear to equate to the antichrist, the man of perdition, in the Bible). “Mahdi means “the Guided One” in Arabic and refers to a messianic figure in Islamic tradition who is expected to appear near the end of the world to establish justice and restore true religion. This concept is significant in Islamic eschatology, particularly among Shia Muslims, who believe the Mahdi is a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad.” (AI)
Teachings on the Mahdi greatly vary between the different Islamic sects, and even in Iran some variation in teachings is noted. The following does appear to be representative of the more extreme teachings (notably of Iran) on the coming of the Islamic Mahdi. Such teachings depict the Mahdi as (a) someone who will appear soon, particularly during or after a period of severe chaos and violence especially involving Israel, (b) he will bring in a time of peace, justice and prosperity lasting 7 years, (c) that 7 years will prepare for the return of Jesus (the prophet, not the son of God), and (d) a gathering of the world population to Islam, after which (e) there will be a global Islamic caliphate where all will have become believers in Islam.
Islam has a number of factions including Sunni and Shia sects. Shiites are generally more aggressive with their religious requirements due to more specific religious requirements and rituals than Sunnis. Shiites also generally have clerics as national leaders while Sunnis generally have secular national leaders. “Shia Islam is often associated with theocratic governance, where clerics hold significant power, as seen in Iran. In contrast, Sunni Islam typically supports secular leadership, where leaders are elected or appointed without religious authority being central to their rule.” (AI) In particular, Twelver-shiism is the predominant theology in Iran. Twelver-shias believe in an allegedly divinely appointed line of 12 spiritual and political leaders, with the advent of the 12th successor (known as the Mahdi) supposedly very soon. “Twelver Shiism is the largest branch of Shia Islam, and Twelver Shia Muslims believe in a divinely appointed line of 12 Imams as spiritual and political successors to Prophet Muhammad. They are the established faith in Iran and the Hidden Imam is expected to return to guide the events leading to the Day of Judgement.” (AI) Therefore, while the biblical Christ the Messiah will return at the end of the Tribulation, this does suggest that the Mahdi will appear at the start of the Tribulation. The Mahdi therefore is actually more in line with the one the Bible defines as the man of perdition, known as the antichrist. He is expected to appear before Christ’s return (that is, Christ whom they call the prophet Jesus and do not recognise as the son of God). “The Shia Mahdi is believed to bring a time of justice, peace, and prosperity to the world, particularly before the second coming of Jesus. He is expected to defeat tyranny and establish a just rule during his reign.” (AI) Seven years does appear to be the official length of the Mahdi’s rule; islamqa.org says that “The Prophet said: The Mahdi will be of my stock, and will have a broad forehead a prominent nose. He will fill the earth will equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years. …. This is because seven years has been mentioned unequivocally in the hadiths of Umm Salama and Abu Said al-Khudri” (islamqa.org)
Many of Islam believe that the Mahdi will return with Jesus (whom they name as Isa the prophet), but it does seem that Twelver-shia Islam believes their Mahdi will rule for 7 years to prepare the world for the return of Jesus. “In Shia Islam, the Mahdi is a significant messianic figure who is expected to emerge during a time of great turmoil. His role is to establish justice and prepare the world for the return of Jesus. … During this time, he will work to restore justice and lead a global Islamic community.” (AI) However, while Jesus figures prominently in Islamic eschatology, he is not the Jesus of Christian faith. In this Islamic framework, Jesus returns not as the divine Son of God but as a muslim prophet who was never crucified. And the Mahdi’s preparation for the return of Jesus is to establish a global Islamic caliphate (a goal that Iran has clearly stated in their Charter). That’s right – everyone (and that includes you, reader) will be converted to Shia islam or else you won’t be permitted to exist. No other religion or belief system will be acceptable if Iran gets its way. No freedom of religion at all. This is Iran’s charter for the world: an all-inclusive global islamic caliphate. And the end-times antichrist of the Bible is portrayed the same: he will require that all the world worship him or else they will be executed.
The Twelfth Shiite Imam (the Mahdi) is foretold to be “the savior of the apocalypse for the salvation of human beings and the establishment of peace and justice.” (Wikipedia)
“The Mahdi is often depicted as a figure who will come riding on a white horse and is associated with a sword, similar to the imagery of the rider on the white horse in the Book of Revelation. This connection suggests that the Mahdi is seen as a messianic figure who will establish a new world order, paralleling the biblical Antichrist.” (AI)
There are two riders on white horses in Revelation:
Revelation 6:2 – And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. This occurs at the beginning of the 7-year Tribulation period, signifying the antichrist, the man of perdition of 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4.
Revelation 19:11 – And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. This occurs at the battle of Armageddon at the end of the 7-year Tribulation, signifying the return of Christ the Messiah.
It is clear that the Mahdi who here rides a white horse equates to the biblical description of the antichrist who will attempt for 7 years to set up a one-world government ruled by himself, to allegedly usher in a time of peace, justice and prosperity; except that it will be a 7-year time of unending war, injustices and total lack of prosperity. The antichrist will try to rule the world but instead will be defeated when Christ returns at Armageddon. The antichrist’ rule will be for 7 years before the return of Christ the Messiah. Mahdi’s rule will be for the 7 years preceding the return of their prophet Jesus.
The Mahdi would therefore have to be the antichrist whom the Twelver-shias appear to be endeavouring to set up even today. A number of reports strongly suggest that a major goal of Iran has been to create violence, especially religious violence, and particularly with Israel, in order to hasten the return of the Mahdi. A report on CBN says that “some Shiites have actually been trying to bring about the prophesied time of the Mahdi, to make it happen themselves. ‘He will appear when the world is in chaos and he will bring peace ….. (they) basically wanted to stir up trouble and get the nuclear weapons so they could attack Israel and create an atmosphere of chaos, so to force their Mahdi — or the 12th caliphate — to show up.” (https://cbn.com/news/world/rise-mahdi-antichrist-poised-enter-world-stage)
“Iranian leaders believe that creating conditions of conflict and chaos can hasten the Mahdi’s return. This belief is deeply rooted in their interpretation of Islamic eschatology. Iran’s military and foreign policies often reflect this ideology, particularly in their confrontations with perceived enemies, such as Israel. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has been known to frame its actions against Israel not just as geopolitical manoeuvres but as religious obligations tied to the Mahdi’s emergence. Iran backs various militias across the region, viewing them as part of the struggle to prepare for the Mahdi’s return. The IRGC has articulated a goal of eradicating Israel, which they see as an obstacle to the Mahdi’s emergence. Iran’s pursuit of nuclear capabilities is often framed within the context of preparing for the Mahdi’s return. In summary, Iran’s leadership does foster an environment of conflict and violence, driven by the belief that such conditions will facilitate the Mahdi’s return. This ideology shapes their military strategies and foreign relations, particularly in their aggressive stance towards Israel and their support for regional militias.” (AI)
Thus it may be assumed that Iran sees its conflict with Israel as an essential component of their efforts to create the conditions in which the appearance and rule of their Mahdi will be hastened. In their minds, it is the process of chaos and destruction that occurs in their conflict with Israel that is more important than the actual proposed defeat of Israel. That is, while, to them, the defeat of Israel is necessary, even essential, it is the development of chaos that is the more important factor here, for it is through such chaos that they claim their islamic world caliphate will emerge, led by their Mahdi. Religious hardliners in the Iran government see the conflict as a prerequisite for the return of the Mahdi. “Many consider ultra-hardliner Ayatollah Mohammad-Mehdi Mirbagheri (also known as Mahdi Mirbaqiri) …. as Mesbah-Yazdi’s successor. Mirbagheri teaches that fighting and overcoming infidels is a prerequisite for the return of the hidden Imam.” (www.iranintl.com) “On the subject of negotiations with the Western world, Mirbaqiri said that: “Negotiations are good, if Iran’s approach to them leads to the triumph of [Islamic] civilization, but if negotiations are carried out to cooperate with the society of the infidels, then they are bad.” He also opined that “Our competitors have understood that America is not all that powerful…You can negotiate with them and not surrender. If they exit the negotiations, so will we. [We are] … more powerful than America.” (Wikipedia)
Not all Islamic sects support these teachings of the alleged coming Mahdi. However, it is the Twelver-shiites who claim that they are the ones who will usher in an Islamic world caliphate through the leadership of their Mahdi. And it is Iran that represents the religious extremism of the Twelver-shiites. “Iran’s ideology includes the belief that the Mahdi, or Twelfth Imam, will return to establish a global Islamic kingdom, and this belief significantly influences its foreign policy, particularly against Israel. The Iranian regime views itself as playing a crucial role in preparing for the Mahdi’s return. …. Iran considers the destruction of Israel a sacred duty, viewing it as an obstacle to the Mahdi’s return.” (AI)
Thus Iran is striving to set up the conditions that would (according to them) cause the Mahdi to appear in order that he would establish a worldwide global caliphate bringing all people under Islamic sharia law. “The Iranian regime has ambitions similar to those of ISIS, aiming to establish a worldwide Islamic caliphate through the use of violence and radical ideology.” (AI) And they are not really interested in the liberation of Palestine. To them such liberation is merely a means to an end: the return of their Mahdi. “Arab writers have commented on this aspect of Hamas and its ideology. In a recent article in the Egyptian daily Al-Dustour, published in the wake of Hamas’ October 7 massacre in southern Israel, Egyptian author, poet and journalist Dr. Mouna Al-Hilmi wrote that Hamas purports to be fighting for the liberation of Palestine, but is not really interested in a Palestinian nation-state. Rather, like its parent movement, the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas’s ultimate goal is the restoration of the global caliphate.” (www.memri.org)
It isn’t just an act of religious extremism though. Religious extremism on its own is relatively harmless as long as it isn’t forced upon others who choose differently; man must have free will to believe what he chooses to believe in. However, when that religious extremism is used as the foundation for exploiting others (especially violently) through the denial of their free will to believe otherwise, then those who bully in that way are no better than the worst dictators of history. Beliefs should never justify exerting your religious will upon others. Rather, the only possible excuse for conflict regarding beliefs is to perhaps defend one’s right to freedom of will to believe as one chooses. But it should never used as an excuse to justify violence against others simply because they believe differently. “Iran’s charter for a world caliphate under the Mahdi is not merely a religious aspiration but a guiding principle for its political and military strategies. The belief in the Mahdi’s return serves as a justification for its actions on the global stage, particularly in its ongoing conflict with Israel.” (AI)
This also has to assume that all Islamic beliefs are required to be brought into line with this extreme view; any who dissent are likely to be declared non-muslim or infidels. “A worldwide caliphate, as envisioned by some extremist groups, could potentially label Muslims who disagree with its interpretations as infidels …. Some extremist groups, like ISIS, promote a caliphate that could label Muslims who disagree with their interpretations as infidels. This view is rooted in a desire for a singular, rigid interpretation of Islam that excludes diverse beliefs.” (AI) The Twelver-shiism of Iran is, like ISIS, an extremist Islamic belief which can be expected to declare non-supporters (even if muslims) to be infidels. Many muslims do not share these extremist Islamic views, and yet, if they resist violence that extremists could use to usher in such a global caliphate, then they are likely to be declared infidels (and as such, non-muslims) by extremist Twelver-shiites. To such extremists, the only true muslims of the faith are those who support the preached violence; there would be no “good” and “bad” muslims, but “muslims” and “infidels”. Those more moderate muslims would then be either forced to believe as required, or to face penalties for deserting the faith (as defined by the extremists). It must be noted that Iran is already dealing with other Islamic nations around them by punishing them with missile and drone attacks seemingly because they do not actively and openly support Iran in its violent religious vendetta against unbelievers; such violent attacks are designed to pressure other Islamic states to side with Iran’s extremist teachings. That is, Iran sees other Islamic states who do not support Iran’s extremist views as traitors to the cause. Iran views the Mahdi as the coming one who will cause all nations to be subject to strict Islamic sharia law (as defined by Iran) or be destroyed; in particular, this means the destruction of Israel and all who support her. Like all dictatorships, everyone must obey or be destroyed! And the Mahdi will be their ultimate tool to achieve this! (Or so they think!)