The shocking violence against Israeli football fans in Amsterdam is a sure sign that antisemitism is at its worst level since the Nazis launched their devastating crusade against the Jews in the 1930s.

In view of its occurrence in the heart of the Dutch city, it surely represents Satan’s backlash for recent acts of corporate praise to Jesus there, accompanied by prayers for Israel.

Another Kristallnacht

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has called it another Kristallnacht, a reference to the ‘Night of Broken Glass’ of November 9, 1938 – exactly 86 years ago as I write – when Jewish businesses across Germany were trashed and many were persecuted, killed and sent to camps.

It marked the beginning of the Holocaust, in which six million Jews perished, a permanent stain on European society and all those, including so-called Christians, who effectively believe God has turned his back on the Jewish people.

Does Europe, and the world, want another Holocaust, or will the Christian Church – said now to number one-and-a-half billion across the globe – at last step up to the plate in support of their Jewish brethren, from whom we have inherited all our spiritual blessings: the life-giving Scriptures, the Law on which Western civilisation was originally based, the awesome Prophets who foretold of these terrible times in which we are living and, above all, Jesus himself, the Jewish Messiah, who loved us so much that he died in our place.

Sharing Jesus’ love with Israeli Jews

I weep today for the Jewish people, who so desperately need our love. How else will they know that Jesus is not just for Gentiles, but very much for them too?

How else will they know that Jesus is not just for Gentiles, but especially for them too?

Some Gentile Christians do show this love. Only yesterday, as I met up with friends in Lincolnshire and we were discussing the horrors of Amsterdam, I heard reports of how Christians, despite the war, had risked running the gauntlet of hostilities to bring comfort and succour to Israel by attending the annual Feast of Tabernacles.

I’m told there were many instances of Christians sharing a lift with local residents asking them why they were in Jerusalem. “We are here because we love you,” was the general reply. Sessions of hugging would apparently follow, and on every occasion the Jews being hugged would dissolve in tears!

I was in the process of interviewing a former Muslim who began following Jesus after a dream in which the Saviour told him, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (More of that in coming days)

He too is convinced that “this is a time when we must all rally behind Israel, praying for them and for peace. For if Israel falls, we all fall with it. Our roots are from the Jews, so we need to stand up for them.”

Backlash from the enemy

The outrageous pogrom against the Israelis is particularly heartbreaking in view of the wonderful efforts in recent years to bring the presence and praise of the Jewish Messiah to the streets of Amsterdam. As part of their Presence Praise revival movement, a group of Dutch Christians and musicians have repeatedly filled the Dam Square atmosphere with fervent worship to Jesus, alongside prayer for Israel, so much under the cosh these days. But now, tragically, it has become the scene of antisemitic violence.

It is a sign that the enemy is on the run.

Pondering on it yesterday, I felt it was Satan's backlash at the new territory won for Jesus in a place where the devil has caused so much havoc over the years. So do not be disheartened; it is a sign that the enemy is on the run and, like a snake in its last throes of violence after being struck on the head, is lashing back for all its worth.

Enough is enough! It is time for Christians to protest, not with violence, but with love – not least for those who brought us the gospel!