The nation of Iran has a new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was recently killed in an airstrike carried out by the Israeli Air Force, with support from the United States. It is my opinion that the leaders of our country, both politically and militarily, should pay close attention to this Iranian cleric who seems to be a key influence behind the scenes in how Iran's future will play out.
In an article written for Harbinger's Daily, Janatan Sayeh of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Khamenei "embodies his father's legacy and all of the Islamic Republic's defining pathologies: theocratic rule, human rights abuses, destabilizing policy ambitions, and kleptocracy." NOTE: For purposes of everyone's understanding, theocratic rule is defined as a form of government where a deity is recognized as the supreme authority, and the laws are based on religious principles. In such systems, political leaders are often members of the clergy and govern in the name of the deity, with the state's legal system grounded in religious law. Kleptocracy is a form of government where corrupt leaders use their political power to steal wealth from the people they govern. In such systems, corruption is a defining characteristic, leading to significant harm to the economy and society.
In the instance of Iran's theocratic rule, Allah is the deity who is recognized as the supreme authority, and Mojtaba Khamenei, as the new leader, is the cleric chosen by Iran's 88-member Assembly of Experts to rule the nation in the name of Allah. This should concern the nations of the world (especially the U.S. and Israel) because Khamenei has been described by Janer Rajabi, an Iranian exile and former Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operative as not only "uniquely dangerous" and more radical than his father, but "Apocalypse-Obessed". What does that mean, and what would it look like?
According to Mr. Rajabi, Khamenei believes he is a prophesied figure that would help bring about the return of the Mahdi, an Islamic messianic figure who appears before the End Times. This figure is central to Shia Islam, the state religion of Iran. While 75 percent of the world's Muslims adhere to Sunni Islam, only about 10-15 percent are part of Shia Islam. The main schism between Sunnis and Shias comes down to their interpretation of the rightful succession of leadership after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Sunnis believe the Islamic people should be led by a caliph, a role bestowed according to merit and consensus. Shiites believe authority should be passed through the household of Muhammad, and the imams [absolute infallible leaders descended from the Prophet]. Furthermore, most Shia believe that there have been only twelve "true" imams, the last of which has been hiding unseen on earth since the 9th Century, but is anxiously awaited.
This "Twelfth Imam", known as Muhammad al-Mahdi -- or simply the Mahdi [which is a title meaning "guided one"] -- is anticipated to be the perfect Muslim who will reappear and unite the world under Islam. And the followers of this concept are known as "Twelvers". They believe that the Twelve imams are divinely appointed as both spiritual and political successors to Muhammad, and that they possess special knowledge and authority to guide the Muslim community. All this information, within itself, is the foundation of Islam. But here is where we need to understand the ramifications of the different theological application of these tenets and why it is important to discern the current situation in the Middle East...
In the Islamic faith, Hadith refers to the recorded sayings, actions, and approvals of the Prophet Muhammad, serving as a significant resource for guidance, alongside the Quran, to help Muslims understand and practice their faith. Twelver "hadith literature" describes the period before the Mahdi's return as marked by severe injustice, violent upheaval, and widespread bloodshed. Many of these narrations warn of large-scale conflict in the Middle East and dramatic confrontations preceding the establishment of global justice. The Mahdi's arrival is portrayed as forceful intervention that overturns existing political orders.
So, I'm sure you can understand that for millions of Shiite Muslims, this war with Iran is not just another war. They are hopeful [and even convinced] that this war is the culmination of all the injustice, upheaval, and bloodshed perpetrated against the Muslims throughout history, and that it will finally bring about the rise of the Madhi. At the same time, we see that millions of Christians are viewing this war as possibly fulfilling Biblical prophecy in Matthew 24. Former IRGC operative Janer Rajabi says that Mojtaba Khamenei believes that his destiny is to "have a special part" in ushering in the return of the Mahdi, which will lead to the Islamic Apocolypse. So, is it foolish for the rest of the world to think that he, or his military leaders, would be interested in entering into talks to bring about peace? Wouldn't their eschatological beliefs benefit more from increasing chaos in the world in order to cause the rise of the Mahdi?
As an article on Theologyinfive states, "Twelver Shiism teaches that history culminates in the return of the Mahdi, [the Hidden Imam], to establish global justice through decisive intervention. The Islamic Republic has embedded that expectation into its governing structure and uses its imagery to reinforce revolutionary legitimacy. By leveraging apocalyptic themes, Iran's leadership turns geopolitical struggle into theological mission. Conflict is not merely strategic competition; it is framed as alignment with sacred destiny. Any serious analysis of the regime must account for how eschatological expectation is used to sustain confrontation, justify sacrifice, and preserve ideological control."
But I would be remiss, and less than honest, if I did not reveal my thoughts that our own path in this war is dangerously close to being seen as consistent with turning "geopolitical struggle into theological themes". I keep hearing Psalm 82 in my spirit. This is God calling a meeting of the Divine Council; of the gods that He separated and assigned to govern nations in Deuteronomy 32. "How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked". But as has happened throughout history, Satan and his army of demonic troops have corrupted the Word and convinced men to go to war for their own legitimacy and legacies. And the rest of mankind suffers.
It certainly feels like the prophecies of the One True God and those of the lesser gods are about to be realized. I pray that God holds back the Restrainer's hand long enough that we can bring more of the world [and all peoples and nations] into the Kingdom of God. Lord, do not let Chaos reign! Defeat the Evil that would destroy Your plan to reconcile with mankind. And let us not forget to love You with all our heart, soul, and mind; and to love our fellow man as we love ourselves!
Psalm 82:8. Arise, O God, judge the earth; for you shall inherit all the nations!
