Charles Gardner looks at the dangerous scenario unfolding in the Middle East and its implications for Israel.
The stage is being set for what could turn into an almighty battle in the Middle East. What are the implications for peace in the region - and especially for Israel, already surrounded by sworn enemies before Russia entered the toxic fray? We are now witnessing an extremely dangerous situation which could erupt into a major conflict that could even trigger World War III.
David and Goliath
The entire scenario needs to be seen through a biblical lens. With such a focus, we should be in no doubt that this is a spiritual battle as much as a physical reality.
Through the natural lens it may well appear as yet another young David facing up to the seemingly impossible task of slaying the nine-foot Philistine giant Goliath. But David, through whose line Jesus traces his ancestry, never saw it that way: "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." (1 Sam 17:45)
David became the greatest king Israel ever had: today's re-born nation would do well to adopt their hero's total faith and trust in God.
David became the greatest king Israel ever had: today's re-born nation would do well to adopt their hero's total faith and trust in God.
Spiritual Awakening
True, today's Israeli society is as secular as Britain's in many ways. But Jesus said that nation would rise against nation and Israel would be threatened. The prophets foretold that before Messiah's return there will be a great spiritual awakening among God's people, whose hearts will melt as they recognise the One who declared his everlasting love with outstretched arms. The stage is now set for this great unveiling.
It is heartening to know that Prime Minister Netanyahu is a convinced Bible believer. A recent survey has revealed that an impressive 95% of Israelis have a Bible in their homes. The Jewish people may very soon welcome their Messiah. But the onus is not only on them. The Gentiles have a big responsibility to help in this mission through sharing love, support and the Gospel message.
Russia, Assad and Abbas
Meanwhile, Russia's presence in the region is intended to prop up the Assad regime, a key ally of Iran which has made no secret of its intention to wipe Israel off the map. Tensions in Israel itself are almost at boiling point, with seven children orphaned in recent attacks on innocent Jews. And now Jew-hatred is being exported to Europe, where many of the refugees fleeing Muslim countries will have experienced decades of anti-Semitism promoted through schools, newspapers and social networks. Worse still, some refugees will undoubtedly turn out to be IS fighters in disguise.
Tensions in Israel are at boiling point because of recent attacks. We stand in hope of the great spiritual awakening of Jews to the Messiah Jesus, foretold in Scripture.
Against this background the world continues to witness the deceit and hypocrisy of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas who, at the UN, compared Israel to apartheid South Africa and Nazi Germany, and declared that the PA no longer considered itself bound by the 1993 Oslo Accords.1 As bestselling author Jack Engelhard wrote last week, "The entire world is arming itself against radical Islam, and it was to support radical Islam that Mahmoud Abbas came to the United Nations."2
The word of God says: "The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head." (Ob 1:15)
Persecution and Revival
Also in the Middle Eastern firing line are Christians, who worship Jesus, their Jewish Messiah. I have just received a shocking report (from California-based Assist News Service) of the beheading and crucifixion of a dozen indigenous Christian workers near Aleppo in Syria.3
Supported by US-based Christian Aid Mission, they had opportunities to escape, but chose to stay in order to provide aid and comfort in the name of Jesus amidst the carnage. All were ex-Muslims who refused to renounce Christ, and were badly brutalised before being executed, with the two women among them publicly raped. Yet they prayed throughout their ordeal. And in the midst of such unspeakable horror, the region's underground church has mushroomed since June 2014.
In the midst of unspeakable persecution of both Christians and Jews, Syria's underground church is mushrooming.
One former IS fighter fled to Jordan where he intended to kill Christian aid workers. But something stopped him from following through with his plan and that night he saw Jesus in a dream. He subsequently received Christ with tears, and now he's helping in the church. A spokesman said: "In the past we used to pray to have one person from a Muslim background come to the Lord. Now there are so many we can barely handle all the work among them."4
Jews and Christians are in it together because they share their Messiah - who is clearly coming soon, judging by the many signs of his imminent return. It's time to stand with the God of Israel and the Israel of God!
Charles Gardner is author of 'Israel the Chosen', available from Amazon; and 'Peace in Jerusalem', available from olivepresspublisher.com
References
1 Not that the PA has ever kept the agreement anyway, as though their former leader Yasser Arafat was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the basis of dropping Israel's destruction from its charter, this never happened!
2 Engelhard, J. Op-Ed: Mahmoud Abbas - You Are Not That Important. Israel National News, Thursday 1 October 2015.
3 Christian Aid Mission. Eleven Christian Workers in Syria Crucified, Beheaded. Assist Christian News, Monday 5 October 2015.
4 Ibid.