Joel C. Rosenberg, a U.S. evangelical Christian political strategist, points out something in the Middle East that has not apparently been given much attention by world political leaders.
Writing for the Jerusalem Post, Rosenberg says the future leader of America must be aware that "for the first time in human history, the leaders of two nation states are being driven by eschatology," the branch of theology that is concerned with the end times.
Rosenberg says while Christians await the second coming of Christ, Muslims are likewise waiting for their "messiah," whom they call the "Mahdi," according to Charisma News.
"The rulers of the Islamic Republic of Iran are consumed by ancient Islamic prophecies that predict the end of the world as we know it. So are the rulers of Islamic State (ISIS). The former are Shiite. The latter are Sunni," Rosenberg writes.
Quoting a Pew Research study, Rosenberg notes that in nine of the 23 nations where the adult Muslim respondents were asked if they believe the Mahdi is coming, half or more say they believe the Mahdi's return will occur in their lifetime.
Rosenberg believes a clear understanding of Islamic prophecies is essential for America's next commander in chief.
"In recent years, I've written two series of novels, not simply to entertain, but to help the American people, members of Congress, presidential candidates and others become aware of such Islamic apocalyptic thinking, and various worst-case scenarios that could result if Western leaders are blindsided by enemies they do not understand. Yet far more must be done to ensure that American voters and the leaders they will choose truly understand these facts," Rosenberg writes.
"The Oval Office is no place for on-the-job training. Events in the Middle East, in particular, are moving too fast for a novice. The next leader of the Free World will need to enter the White House with a deep understanding of who our enemies are, a decisive plan of action to neutralise—not contain—them, and an experienced national security team.
"The stakes are too high for anything less."
William Wagner, author of "How Islam Plans to Change the World," supports Rosenberg's call for political leaders to seriously take the Islamic prophecies into consideration in making their moves.
He says this prophecy about the coming of the Mahdi explains the anti-Semitism in the Middle East, particularly in Iran and among the ISIS jihadis.
"They feel like one of the major blocking points [for the Mahdi's return] is Israel, and that is one reason why they feel like they must destroy Israel," Wagner tells CBN.
