In Afghanistan, seven people died in demonstrations (demonstrations, that is, that involved assault rifles and grenades). nato was forced to send reinforcements to one city, with violence erupting in at least six.

In Iran, protesters firebombed the Danish Embassy and Tehran banned Danish imports and halted all trade and business ties with the country. Other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iraq joined the boycotting trend. As a result, one Danish company is losing more than $1.8 million a day in sales.

In Pakistan, 5,000 Muslims rallied, burning effigies of one of the cartoonists and Denmark’s prime minister. In Egypt and Jordan, thousands demonstrated.

Protests resulted in a death in Somalia and one in Lebanon. Danish aid organizations were expulsed from Chechnya. Protests spread from Syria to the Philippines, from Nigeria to Indonesia.

And this has all happened because of a few cartoons about Mohammad? Well, yes—and no.

In reality, what we are witnessing is an expression of a deep underlying animosity between two powers that is eventually going to be inflamed to breaking point. That such escalation as we see could even occur demonstrates what really is at issue.

It’s not about Muslims being mad at a newspaper for publishing something. It is not about Muslims wanting what’s sacred to any religion to be respected. It is about Muslims being stirred up to be mad at a whole civilization that tolerates criticism of their religion.

At the same time, it is not about Europe wanting freedom of expression. It’s about Europe refusing to be pushed around by Muslims. At issue is the defense of what it means to be European. Intolerance of this is seen as an attack on Europe itself.

As has been said so many times before—but is becoming increasingly clear—it is about a clash of civilizations. The intensity of reaction to the cartoon issue on both sides of the divide is making that divide ever more pronounced.

Within the Muslim world, the ramifications of the cartoon crisis have been significant.

1) It has had a unifying effect—drawing together Sunnis and Shiites, historically distrustful of each other. The issue has served to minimize the differences between the two sects—as both join in the general uproar—and highlight the common enemy.

2) It is forcing the radicalization of moderate Muslims. Non-action is being attacked as toleration of the defamation of Mohammad—turning the matter into a “test of authenticity for Muslims,” as Stratfor puts it (February 7).

3) It is being used by Islamic countries to shore up their position against the West. Stratfor talked of Iran and Syria stoking the flames of Muslim rage “to illustrate the sweeping effect of Islamic fury to the West should the latter make any aggressive moves in the region” (February 6). Tehran’s idea is to signal “that the United States would not find it in its interest to isolate Iran, Syria, Hamas or Hezbollah through unilateral steps” (ibid.). Once again, Iran is demonstrating its ability to blackmail the West.

And 4) It is helping to cement Iran’s position as leader in the Middle East: “The Shiite Iranian-Syrian bloc has taken the lead in violence …. As Iran moves toward a confrontation with the United States over nuclear weapons, this helps to rally the Muslim world to its side: Iran wants to be viewed as the defender of Islam, and Sunnis who have raised questions about its flirtations with the United States in Iraq are now seeing Iran as the leader in outrage against Europe” (ibid., February 7).

On state television, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman stated that although attacks on embassies were discouraged, “Nevertheless, Western countries should atone for their mistake.”

If there is any question of Iran’s leadership in the Muslim outrage—or the fact that the unrest is being intentionally stirred up—consider the actions of a prominent Iranian newspaper (and remember, this type of thing doesn’t happen in Iran without the government’s consent). The graphics editor of Hamshahri is holding a Holocaust cartoon competition—challenging Western newspapers to publish these pictures as it did the Mohammad ones. Gold coins are being offered to the 12 winners—the same number as selected by the European paper. Such audacity will hardly go without reaction in Europe! The Islamic world is spoiling for a fight.

But this situation is not only serving to encourage Muslim solidarity—it is also advancing the cause of unity in Europe. With the many divisive issues European states have been dealing with, this is one where they have clearly and vocally stood together. Newspapers in over a dozen European states rallied to defend Denmark by reprinting the cartoons and joining in the debate—no matter the escalation that was sure to ensue.

In addition, the crisis has served to harden Europe’s attitude against Islam. The refusal of European governments to take any action to stop or condemn the publication of the cartoons, in the face of such enormous Muslim pressure to do so, is evidence of an increasing intolerance of Muslim provocations. As Europe digs in, the attacks on embassies and violence against its citizens are hardening its collective attitude. Like it wasn’t already hard enough—what with the Muslim immigration problem, the French riots several months ago and ongoing provocations.

Rather than dissipating, the crisis grows, with both sides bunkering down in their positions. There are, in fact, few signs that either side wants the crisis to dissipate—certainly not at the cost of compromising or backing down. “[W]hat is important is this: The controversy over the cartoons involves issues so fundamental to the two sides that neither can give in. … The cartoons have changed the dynamics both within Europe and the Islamic world, and between them. … This has created a serious barrier between [even] moderate Muslims and Europeans …” (ibid.).

So ultimately, the news that’s making headlines around the world is about much more than a few cartoons: It’s about setting the stage for a clash of wills that—incredibly—will lead to Christ’s return.

Of the significance of the current situation, Stratfor states: “What is new is the breadth of the Muslim response and the fact that it is directed obsessively not against the United States, but against European states” (ibid.; emphasis ours).

How prophetic! The Bible prophesies of a “push” by an Islamic king of the south against a European power that will ignite world war! For now, Europe is responding with defiant speeches—but it won’t stop there. The Islamic world will push too much. Muslims want a war; prophecy shows they are going to get one.