The Washington Times reported Iran unfurled a blood-red flag above the dome of Jamarkaran Mosque in Qom, Iran the day after Gen. Qassem Soleimani was killed by the U.S. missile strike in Baghdad. Some say this red flag was simply a sign of revenge, but others say it has a deeper meaning.  As the flag was being raised, the speaker called out, “O Allah, hasten your custodian reappearance.”

The Jamarkaran Mosque is one of the holiest sites in Shiite Islam – and it is one of the mosques associated with Muhammad al-Mahdi (The Mahdi), also known as the 12th Imam. 

According to Shia Islamic belief the Mahdi was born in Iraq in 869 A.D. and never died.  However, he will return again, just before judgement day, to “rule the world and bring peace” and the Mahdi will “establish Shia Islam as the ruling faith across the globe.”

The Shiites also believed that an all-out holy war will hasten the return of the Mahdi – and any Shiites who die in this war, will die as martyrs and be highly rewarded in the afterlife.  Those who survive the war will assist the Mahdi in establishing the global rule of Shia Islam. So to the Iranian mullahs, waging war against the infidels (particularly the United States and Israel), is not just a quest for power – it is their religious duty to speed up the Mahdi’s return and worldwide reign.

We are engaged in spiritual warfare – and today is the day to get right with God, by calling upon Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior.  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).