The army that killed Hussein, the grandson of Mohammed, at the Battle of Karbala (which Shi'ites mark each year during Ashura) supposedly numbered 4,000. This was the event that split Shia from Sunni Islam. 4,000 could signify an attack on the followers of Hussein who now rule Iraq - - the Shia-led government in Baghdad.
Iran, who with their junior partner Syria, has been playing both sides of the civil war. Radical extremists, led by Ahmadinejad, are determined to set off an apocalypse and establish a new form of theocratic rule in the name of the Islamic messiah. The new governing ideology of Iran is Mahdaviat, Islamic Messianism.
In the fall of 2005, soon after his election, Ahmadinejad reportedly told his cabinet that the apocalypse of the Mahdi would happen within two years. And certain events, according to this ideology, must first take place.
- - Catastrophe strikes Baghdad.
- - The army of Black Flags led by the Mahdi arises in the East (Khorasan=eastern Iran/Afghanistan)
- - The Mahdi battles the "forces of evil" at the Gate of Istakhr (near the ruins of Persepolis in south Iran).
One need not believe in this apocalyptic worldview, but one must understand it to understand the enemy's intent to create "self-fulfilling prophecies".
http://www.answers.com/main/ntq-tname-mahdi-fts_start-
Signs indicating the emergence of the Mahdi
Shi'a sources
The 6th Shi'a Imam, Jafar al-Sadiq, is reported to have said:
"Before the appearance of the one who will rise, peace be upon him, the people will be reprimanded for their acts of disobedience by a fire that will appear in the sky and a redness that will cover the sky. It will swallow up Baghdad, and will swallow up Kufa. Their blood will be shed and houses destroyed. Death will occur amid their people and a fear will come over the people of Iraq from which they shall have no rest."
http://www.islam.tc/prophecies/imam.html
The Prophet (PBUH and HF) said: "We (I and my family) are members of a household that Allah (SWT) has chosen for them the life of the Hereafter over the life of this world; and the members of my household (Ahlul-Bayt) shall suffer a great affliction and they shall be forcefully expelled from their homes after my death; then there will come people from the East carrying black flags, and they will ask for some good to be given to them, but they shall be refused service; as such, they will wage war and emerge victorious, and will be offered that which they desired in the first place, but they will refuse to accept it till they pass it to a man from my family (Ahlul-Bayt) appears to fill the Earth with justice as it has been filled with corruption. So whoever reaches that (time) ought to come to them even if crawling on the ice/snow since among them is the Vice-regent of Allah (Khalifatullah) al-Mahdi." '
http://www.muhammadanreality.com/ImamMahdiSignsfortheSavoir.htm
The Gate of Istakhr
Imam Ali, peace be upon him, said:
"The horses31 of As-Sufyani will go to Kufa,
and he will send his army against the dwellers of Khurasan.
(At that time) the people of Khurasan will demand Al Mahdi.
He that meets with Al Hashimi with the Black Banners at his front is Shuayb, the son of Salih who will engage As-Sufyani at the Gate of Istakhr -- between them there will be a tremendously fierce battle and the Black Banners will win, but the horses of As-Sufyani will escape. It is at that time that the people will wish for Al Mahdi, because they need him."
"The Road to Jerusalem (Tariq al Qods) runs through Karbala"
- - Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
("the sea" will swallow New York and then the Mahdi will destroy the Vatican)
MUSLIM APOCALYPTIC WRITERS INDICATE FUTURE STRIKES ON NEW YORK AND VATICAN
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/984315/posts
Thanks for the post.
4000, 19, 21, full moon, new moon, mahdi in a well, and on and on.
My mind is reeling. I think I am in overload.
Khurasan
UBL used to sign his messages from Khurasan
"Kingdom of Heaven"
Saladin takes Jerusalem Oct. 1/Oct 2
Seems we're in an 'anniversary' time-frame as well.
Thank you CallMeJoe.
One can always learn a lot from history.
That Spirit Daily article link is 404, although the FR link is working.
Fyi.