Charles Gardner looks for security in a world of turmoil.

At a time of great turbulence, when all around is sinking sand, there is a rock of perfect security on which to stand. His name is Jesus. And those who fail to honour Him will stumble (Isa 8:14; Rom 9:33). In the world of politics, too, there is an "immovable rock" that will injure those nations wishing to move it (Zech 12:3). Could this mean that all who attack Jerusalem – "the city of the Great King" (Matt 5:35) – will themselves be terrorised?

Islamic Attacks

Best-selling novelist Jack Engelhard seems to think so, saying that the dreadful terror attacks enacted by Islamic fanatics in Paris, Brussels, Istanbul and Nice¹ all began in Israel. He said the nations kept telling Israel not to answer with force, but to make peace with them. Yet every such gesture was met with more demands and more terror; and the world refused to figure it out – that it had nothing to do with Israel.

The Jewish state was merely a laboratory for radical Islam who have murdered thousands of Israeli civilians with guns, knives, suicide belts, and now the automobile – reminding us that cars have been used to ram innocent pedestrians to death in Israel on a regular basis since last autumn. And referring to the summit called by French President Hollande to impose peace in Israel, Engelhard asks: "Is he calling for a peace summit with whoever came to Nice to mow down hundreds of celebrants?"²

The grim spectre of violence stalks the earth like a big black cloud

Also asking questions is evangelist Franklin Graham, son of Billy, who says terrorists continue to attack because the U.S.Government refuses to recognize the danger of Islam.³

Even in England, Muslim converts to Christianity require special protection in the face of threats and persecution from their own families.

Yes, the grim spectre of violence stalks the earth like a big black cloud. All this is surely a sign of the imminent return of our Messiah, Yeshua (Luke 17:26f, Matt 24:29f). But it's a time to fasten our seatbelts...I believe the Lord was speaking of these days when he said: "In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory" (Hag 2:6f).

And this theme is repeated in the New Testament when, in warning against godlessness and sexual immorality (Heb 12:16) – an apt summary of today's Britain – the writer to the Hebrews reminds us of what happened at the giving of the Law on Mt Sinai when the mountain shook in a terrifying spectacle accompanied by fire. This would happen again, though on a bigger scale, at the end of the age so that what cannot be shaken would remain.

Staying Strong

Hold on tight, for we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken. Let's not buckle under the pressure of worldly wisdom, but press on as we look to Jesus, "the author and perfecter of our faith". (Heb 12:2) May I encourage you to "strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees" (Heb 12:12), a verse I have taken literally, as a result of which it has become a constant source of testimony to the power of God. If I had listened to worldly wisdom, I would have given up running when my knees got painful but instead, inspired by this scripture, I trusted God to heal them. It's interesting that the very next verse says: "Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

Let's not buckle under pressure

Now I am able to continue running with perseverance the race marked out for me (Heb 12:1), both physically as well as spiritually.

Jesus said: "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matt 2435). He also said that "everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matt 7:24).

Notes

1 At the risk of being accused of bad taste, it is worth mentioning that the Nice massacre took place on Bastille Day when the French celebrate 'freedom' wrought through a revolution in which their royal family were mercilessly executed by guillotine. I am not suggesting that divine vengeance was being visited on the victims in Nice. But there is a sense in which the ruthless, merciless spirit that brought 'freedom' to France is still present in the land. I'm not so sure that celebrations are apt for the storming of the Bastille (prison); perhaps France needs to repent for taking the law into their own hands.

2 Engelhard J, Nice Terror: First they came for the Jews, Arutz Sheva, 15 July 2016.

3 Justice, J. Franklin Graham: This Is Why Terrorists Continue to Attack. Charisma News, 5 July 2016.

In the wake of last night's terrible attack in Nice, as the world reels yet again from the impact of such terrible and brazen evil, we ask that you would stand with us in prayer for those affected, their families, the people of France and Europe as a whole.

It is difficult to find words at such a time. Perhaps it is not essential (Rom 8:26). But that does not mean we should do nothing. We must be moved to action as a result of this – whether in word or deed – so that we "shine...like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life" (Phil 2:15-16).

This incident cannot be allowed to become simply 'the latest' in a series, or 'yet another' tragic loss of life. We should mourn with France today. But we should also be seeking wisdom for the leaders of France and the other European nations as they respond to this despicable act of brutality.

Frances Rabbitts

Managing Editor

On behalf of the Prophecy Today Editorial Board