“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”
~John 14:1-3

Blessings, dear friends!  A major focus of Looking for the Blessed Hope is to encourage others to know and understand the times, and to be ready for the return of Jesus, our Blessed Hope.  After all, Jesus made a promise to His disciples in John 14 that still holds true for us today.  He has gone to prepare a place for us (followers of Jesus Christ), and will come again to take us to that new home, to be with Him forever.  Jesus went on to teach His disciples many things in the next couple chapters of John, finishing chapter 16 with these words:

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”

Jesus taught that, despite tribulation, peace is found in Him and He has overcome the world.  Thus, we may take courage amidst worldly tribulations.

Right now, ISIS is a tribulation in this world!  The past two days we have taken a look at where ISIS originated, and who they are.  Today we’ll discuss their objectives.

As previously indicated, ISIS has declared a caliphate, with its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the appointed caliph.  (A caliphate is an Islamic state, led by a successor of Mohammad who represents Allah.)  Currently ISIS is steadily working to take advantage of the instability in Iraq in order to expand its control of Iraqi territory.  Meanwhile, Syria is embroiled in its own civil war, making it weak against intrusion of ISIS as well.  ISIS is working to erase the border between Iraq and Syria, and have ambitions in Jordan and elsewhere also.

A significant difference between ISIS and other groups such as Hamas is that ISIS functions much more like a government with a military rather than simply a militant group.  They are organized and definitely have intentions of establishing their own kingdom governed by sharia law.

But will ISIS be content with simply a Middle Eastern kingdom ruled by their caliph?  That seems unlikely.  Sunnis and Shi’ites alike vow to establish a worldwide caliphate, though they differ in who that caliph will be.  To be “worldwide,” though, assumes that the Middle East is not the extent of the plans for ISIS or any other radical group intent on establishing a caliphate.  Indeed, ISIS has sights set on Europe:

• Major terrorist attack is ‘inevitable’ as Isis fighter return, say EU officials
• ISIS Reportedly Planning Terror Attack on Pope at Vatican, Security Increased
• UK PM: Six Planned ISIS Attacks in Europe

Likewise, ISIS has ambitions on American soil:

• ISIS Member: We’re Planning a ‘Brilliant Attack’ on New York
• Report: ISIS Planning Imminent Terror Attack at US Border
• ISIS’ Impending Attack on US

Regardless of the accuracy in the timing and location of ISIS threats, there is little doubt that ISIS is far from content with simply a Middle Eastern caliphate.  Their sights are most certainly set on developing a worldwide caliphate.

But friends, Jesus has overcome the world!  His death, burial and resurrection secured the ultimate victory over evil!  Indeed, He is preparing a place for us right now and will return one day soon to take us to be with Him.  It may appear that evil has the upper hand, but never lose sight of the fact that our Lord has promised life eternal in the peaceful presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

If you don’t know Him, all hope is lost.  However, for those who place their faith in Him, Jesus is our Blessed Hope!  (If you don’t know Jesus, find hope here.)