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Today, suras 38-48

Less and less do I find that is new or of interest for our purposes, so more and more quickly we will travel.

38. The title is another mystery letter. In English, simply the letter "S".

Muhammad continues to lift himself to the status of Biblical characters by listing such men as Noah and Pharaoh and Lot, all of whom warned or were warned in their day, even as he believes he is being commissioned in his day. All the people back then "considered the messengers liars." So too in Arabia's seventh century.

David and Solomon are back, drawing the cooperation of obedient birds and winds.

And another promise of a heaven with equal-aged ever-virgins, never-ending. With the accompanying promise of the roasting of all infidels, of course.

I truly believe in the judgment of God, don't get me wrong. But the Koran is a constant feast of condemnation. Forgive me. I have become repetitive too!

39. "The troops." Many more descriptive words for Allah in every sura. Here I see the word "dominator." Truly a name for this god that matches the character.

After mentioning how Adam and Eve were created from one soul, and how man has become infidel, he enjoins them to "enjoy your infidelity for a little. Surely you will be among the companions of the fire."

In this sura we see that it is Muhammad indeed who is the first of the Muslims. Whether this means "the first Muslim" or just the most important, is not clear.

And finally it is admitted that the Koran is "a book whose verses are look-alike repetitions." He adds quickly, "it chills the skins of those who fear their lord." So even believers have difficulty reading this book.

In verse 30 Allah announces that both Muhammad and his followers are dead! Whatever this may mean, the stark appearance of such a statement is telling.

Verse 44 calls Allah the only intercessor of Heaven. Such a strange title. With whom does such a one intercede , and for whom? His decisions, his condemnations, are all so settled.

Aren't we blessed to have a real intercessor, one who is intimate with God because He is God, but one who knows the feelings of our infirmities too!

Another "puzzlement" of sura 39 is the unusual judgment added to the list of judgments to be suffered by those who lie against Allah: "their faces are blackened."

And then a page out of Revelation again in verses 69ff: The earth shines. A book is opened. Prophets and witnesses are brought near. Justice will prevail. Rewards given out. Eternal hell to those who refused the "verses." The garden for believers. The angels praising around the throne. Familiar territory here.

40. "Forgiver."

A strange Moses/Pharaoh tale is told in this chapter. Pharaoh is suddenly confronted by a mysterious Muslim believer who lays his life on the line to tell Pharaoh the truth about Allah. His faithfulness is rewarded with protection. Pharaoh and company are seen being tormented in hell.

In verse 55 Muhammad is told to "ask forgiveness for your sin and praise with your lord's praise evening and morning." Honest Muslims of our day need to drop all the mythology that has arisen around the prophet. Even as strange tales were told of Jesus after the original biographies, so Islam has been plagued with sentimental legends, easily quashed by passages such as this. Muhammad was not divine. He was a sinner in need of forgiveness. That's Koran.

41. "Expounded."

In yet another trip to Genesis we find that the earth was created in two days, then "measured in it provision" in four equal days. Seven heavens took an additional two days, a little bit later. Interesting.

Verse 43 is another aha! moment: "Nothing has been said to you except what indeed has been said to the messengers before you." Nothing new to Muhammad? Then why? "Indeed, we gave Moses the book." Indeed? Then why not just speak from the book? Why new revelations?

42. "The consultation."

Do we deserve all the evil that comes our way? Well, we are a fallen people. The Bible does not try to hide this. The Koran definitely does not try: "Whatever misfortunes befall you, so it is due because of what your hands have earned, and he pardons much." Following is a depressing, nearly hopeless discussion of what is coming to the disobedient.

43. "The highly embellished." Now there is an interesting title for a Koranic sura. Whether these words are embellished or not, we may not know, but those to whom it was first given considered Muhammad's words "sorcery." The word is used often in the book. Verse 30 repeats it, and again gives us a clue as to how this work might be perceived.

44. "The smoke." Yet another symbol of torment coming to infidels.

No new material in the sura until the very end where, this time, paradise is a place where the triumphant will wear fine silk and the richest robes. The large-eyed and voluptuous women will be present for Muslim men to marry. Usama Dakdok, translator, poses a very disturbing question for the faithful of Islam: What will the believing women be enjoying? I do not assume that the virgins are all overcoming saints. Surely there will be a number of ordinary Muslim women there? Maybe not. At least one hadith indicates that hell will be populated mostly by females.

45. "The Kneeling". No new material.

46. "The Dunes." One interesting point: "Those from whom we accept the best of what they have done, and we will ignore their evil deeds." Do your best, I'll ignore the rest. Here is a giant difference between Israel's God and our own. The true God does not ignore sin. Every sin that has even been committed against a holy God will be paid for, either by the one who committed it, or by the Saviour's blood. Sin is an awful thing, in this the Koran is correct. But the judgment you keep seeing in the Koran, except in rare instances like this, is all Allah can really offer, since he makes no provision for forgiveness except man trying his best. Hitting the target in Islam is impossible, since there is no stable standard. No one knows for sure where he stands with this god!

With Christ it is a matter of accepting the sacrifice or paying for all your sins alone.

47. "Muhammad." Finally a sura named after the prophet.

This one is in Medina, very clearly. Right away believers are told, "When you meet those who became infidels, so strike the necks until you have made a great slaughter among them." Off with their heads. I have commented before about how this is in no way a godly commission. This is the command of the enemy.

"O you have believed [Islam], if you help Allah, then Allah will help you..." God helps those who help God. I like better, "Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord" offered to Moses, the real Moses, when he was hemmed in during the Exodus. No place to go. Nothing to do. God says, I'll do it.

And better yet, in the Garden of Gethsemane, while Peter is about to pre-figure Muhammad, sword in hand, Jesus says, No, this is not our way! Put your sword up! From that time, Peter used the sword of the Spirit to fight his battles.

Heaven in the Muhammad sura consists of four rivers: one of pure water, one of milk, one of wine, and one of honey.

Perhaps the words we should take most to heart are in verse 35: "So do not be weak and do not call for peace when you have the upper hand..." This is the way of all rising powers, whether working out of Moscow or Rome or Mecca. Like a lamb when in the minority. But like a lion "when you have the upper hand." Where does Europe stand now? Where does America stand?

48. "The conquest." Yes, still Medina. The title gives it away.

Bedouins are told to face a substantial army. If the challenged refuse to accept Islam, wage war with them. Only the blind, lame, and sick will be permitted not to fight. And there will be much in the way of spoils in this battle.

Why does none of this remind me of the ways of the Lord? Because, this is purely the way of the world, and the rewards the world gives.

Truly the way of Islam is a harsh way. Its goal is world domination "for Allah." Those who are with Muhammad are "severe against the infidels but full of tenderness among themselves."

The way of Jesus is better. We do love the brothers more, but we are commanded to do good to all men! God has put it in our hearts to seek and to save that which was lost. It is in the heart of the true Muslim to seek out the infidels and kill them.