As the UK launches air strikes against Syria, Helen Belton argues that we are the real fighters against IS.
Three weeks ago we watched in horror and disbelief as the Paris terror outrage unfolded. This week MPs voted to go ahead with air strikes in Syria amid fears of an escalation in violence.
Sadly, our leaders do not understand the nature of what they are dealing with.
Religious War, Spiritual War
After all, it's baffling to find that in secular 21st century Europe, they have been plunged into a religious war inspired by medieval ideology. Governments thought that religion had left the political sphere back in the 18th century with the dawn of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution.
Having largely relegated our own religious heritage to the private sphere we find ourselves at a loss to deal with an aggressive totalitarian religious ideology. Forsaking our Judeo-Christian heritage has allowed the enemy to flood in.
Of course we have to defend ourselves, but the solution to this conflict is not ultimately physical warfare because at root are spiritual forces of evil.
Having largely relegated our own religious heritage to the private sphere, we find ourselves at a loss to deal with an aggressive totalitarian religious ideology.
Redemption Draws Near
The resurgence of militant Islam is the enemy's response to the time of our redemption drawing near. If the world can be overrun and the Church obliterated, then there is no Bride for Jesus to claim. If the Jewish people can be destroyed and Israel overrun, there is no ancient people ready for the fulfilment of God's promises to them, no other place for the Messiah to set his foot than in Jerusalem (since he will return in the same way he left, Acts 1:11).
However, we can rejoice in the promised triumph and certain return of Jesus, knowing that as the darkness gathers it is a sign that the dawning of the Day of our Redemption is nearer. 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3:
For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labour pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.
In the meantime, we are called to watch and pray and keep the lamp of the Spirit burning.
The resurgence of militant Islam is the enemy's response to the time of our redemption drawing near - if the world can be overrun and the Church obliterated, there is no Bride for Jesus to claim.
The Bridegroom's Return
Matthew's (chapter 25) stark warning parable about young women waiting for a bridegroom to arrive should be uppermost in our minds. Those who are prepared for the Bridegroom's arrival have enough oil for their lamps to keep burning during the long wait. Those who are unprepared do not have enough and leave their posts to go and buy more. The bridegroom arrives while they are out shopping and they are excluded from the wedding banquet:
... the door was shut.
'Lord, Lord,' they said, 'open the door for us!'
"But he replied, 'Truly I tell you, I don't know you.'
Will Jesus know you? How? He will know you because he will see your 'lamp' burning - the same fire that burns in him burning consistently and faithfully within you.
In the meantime, we are called to battle. But what kind of battle?
Arise, Church
Our nation and Europe needs prayer now more than ever. If we do not rise up to watch, pray, give and preach the gospel unrelentingly, with Europe undergoing probably its greatest threat of violent conflict since the Second World War, then what will it take to wake us up?
It is time for the Church to arise to greater heights to do spiritual battle in the heavenly realms in prayer, for the protection of our nation and for repentance for those caught up in this conflict.
We are the real fighters against IS – with the sword of the Spirit and the "shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one" (Eph 6:16). This is the Church's battle to fight because only we have the appropriate weapons. This is a war that will be won in the spiritual realm in heavenly places.
This is the Church's battle to fight – only we have the appropriate weapons.
Prayer for Turning
There have been reports of IS fighters turning to the Lord. God specialises in turning murderers around. He did it with the apostle Paul, who was murdering Christians. Let's pray for more Damascus Road conversions (appropriate, given that Damascus is a Syrian city).
It is vital that we ask God to grant repentance to Islamic State, that we do not condemn individuals and people groups in this conflict but that we see the prison of the violent ideology they have embraced for what it is, a demonic delusion. Through this conflict let us pray that the Lord will release many out of spiritual darkness into the kingdom of light.
Practical Responses
What specifically is going to help us to be watchful, alert and prepared?
It could be increasing our commitment to prayer, individually, in small groups and as churches. It could be reviewing our giving, putting our substance into kingdom projects of lasting value both here and for the Church's mission abroad. It could be going to a different service once a month or meeting and encouraging believers from another denomination or area of the Church. Christians must stand together at this critical time for our nation. We must also stand with the Jewish community and show our love and support as they are under continual threat.
Let us be in faithful prayer for our brothers and sisters in the suffering Church. Let's support those helping them, such as Open Doors or Barnabas Fund, who are working at the moment with the Jewish peer, Lord Weidenfeld, to bring Christians out of Syria. Lord Weidenfeld was rescued from Nazi Germany by British Christians and is so grateful he wants to rescue Christians in his turn (note that he is 95 - age is no barrier to usefulness!).
Be Strategic
The people who perished in Paris two weeks ago did not know when they went happily to a concert or out for dinner that it would be their last evening. None of us knows how long we have so let's pray and ask the Lord to tell us who is warm to the gospel now? Who should I spend time with in the hope of encouraging them to consider the message of Jesus?
Another question to ask the Lord this week is, in the time I have left, however short or long that is, whether you return, or my end comes first, what is the one thing that only I can do, with my particular circumstances, gifts and skills? If you haven't already found it, find that thing and then pursue it. That is kingdom building: let's be fully ready and prepared, all the tasks completed, before the Master returns.
Above all, watch and pray and keep the lamp of the Spirit burning (Luke 12:35-40) because that will keep us in the place of safety until Jesus returns.