I recently received a news update from Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem in which it was reported that towards the end of last year (2006) a web site known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting claimed that we are now in the last days and that the Islamic Messiah will soon appear to introduce the end of the world as we know it. The Islamic Messiah is known as the Twelfth Imam or the "Mahdi". The Web Site says that the Mahdi will first appear in Mecca and then in Medina. This may happen within three or four months’ time, that is before April of this year (2007). The Mahdi will conquer all of Arabia, Syria, Iraq, destroy Israel, and then set up a "global government" based in Iraq. In addition to this, the web site reports that so called "christians" will witness their Messiah, known as "Jesus", coming back to earth – not as a Liberator of Israel, but as a Shiite Muslim Leader. The web site clearly denounces "born again christians", or any other believer, for that matter, for supporting the "illegal Zionist State of Israel".

This most interesting interpretation of the end times reminds us once again of how different people and different groups all have different and opposing opinions of what is happening in this world and what may be expected in future. It seems that no one is really interested any longer in what we may call OBJECTIVE TRUTH. Truth no longer needs to be derived from an authoritative and trustworthy source, it only needs to be appealing and relevant to its recipients. As long as the message comes across as a message of hope and a message of relief, it is easily and readily accepted as a message of truth.

This brings us back to the aspect of truth and so-called knowledge about the future and how literally dozens of groups, if not hundreds, are claiming to have this kind of knowledge about the unknown future. In fact, it seems that not only extremist Muslims have put their trust in a "Mahdi". Thousands of believers from various backgrounds have put their trust in different forms and shapes of "Mahdi" – different forms and shapes of so-called knowledge and religious thought. "Knowledge is power", the saying goes, and it seems that scores of people are building their lives and their hopes upon an imagined power that is based on knowledge of a very dubious and suspicious nature. When looking at specific Scriptures where the Hebrew word "madah" is used, one is reminded of the proper way of acquiring and applying knowledge, as well as the proper way of dealing with secret thoughts. Bear in mind that the word "madah" refers to both "knowledge" and "thought".

In 2 Divre Hayyamim (2 Chronicles) 1:10-12 we find these words, concerning the wisdom and knowledge of Shelomo (Solomon): "Now give me wisdom and knowledge ("madah"), so that I go out and come in before this people. For who is able to rightly rule this great people of Yours? And Elohim said to Shelomoh, Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or esteem or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life, but have asked wisdom and knowledge ("madah") for yourself, so as to rightly rule My people over whom I have set you up to reign, wisdom and knowledge ("madah") are given to you. And riches and wealth and esteem I also give you, such as none of the sovereigns have had who have been before you, nor any after you have." Clearly, true "madah" can only be realized within the context of a desire to do what is pleasing to Yahweh and beneficial to his people.

In Kohelet (Ecclesiastics) 10:20 it is written: "Do not curse the sovereign, even in your thought ("madah"); do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; for a bird of the heavens conveys the voice, and a bird in flight makes the matter known." In a world and a time when people are expressing their thoughts, almost at liberty, it is sound advice to keep one’s thoughts to oneself and speak (or predict the future) only when one is absolutely certain about the facts. And even when the facts are clear to see, it is often a better idea not to speak, than to speak and complicate matters or cause irreversible hurt. When studying Scriptures it becomes clear that there are certain forms of knowledge that are worth much more than the superficial kinds of knowledge that are often pursued by the people of this world. Let us meditate on a few of these Scriptures from the book of Tehillim, with the prayer that Yahweh, the prime source of all knowledge, would give (us) a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17).

Tehillim 9:10 And those who know Your Name trust in You, For You have not forsaken those who seek You, O Yahweh!

Tehillim 36:10 Draw out Your kindness to those who know You, And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Tehillim 39:4 Yahweh, let me know my end, And the measure of my days, what it is, Let me know how short-lived I am.

Tehillim 41:11 By this I know that You did delight in me, Because my enemy does not shout for joy over me.

Tehillim 51:6 You have desired truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You make me know wisdom.

Tehillim 89:15 Blessed are the people Who know the festal trumpet-call! They walk, O Yahweh, in the light of Your face.

Tehillim 119:75 I know, O Yahweh, That Your right-rulings are righteous, And in trustworthiness You have afflicted me.