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 21^st 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 18^th 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.

Clifford Denton turns to Haggai to understand the crises currently filling our news broadcasts and feeds.

'I admit it – Iraq was a mistake. But that shouldn't stop us intervening in Syria'

This was the heading of a Times' article on Tuesday 24 November in which William Hague, a former Foreign Secretary, argued the case for the UK bombing chosen targets to defeat ISIS in Syria.

Day by day the global crisis escalates. Last week the world responded to horrendous terror attacks in Paris. France went immediately to war in Syria. This week a missile from Turkey brought down a Russian plane on combat duty in Syria. Russia promises retribution. Brussels is on high alert for terrorism. What next - and where do we stand?

Britain is bracing up for potential terrorist attacks in coming days. What should we do? Should we unleash our airborne weapons of war in Syria? That is this week's question. Experienced politicians can argue convincingly for or against involvement in armed aggression. Iraq was horrendous, Syria is devastating. But is there a word of prophecy? Does the Bible have a relevant word for today?

Haggai Foresaw the Circumstances of Our Day

Haggai was told to stir up the returning exiles so that they would rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem at the time of Zerubbabel. He and Zechariah prophesied together at that time. Haggai's ministry seemed more practical, while Zechariah saw mystical visions and was caused to reach out into the heavenly domain. Together they understood that the God of Israel was restoring favour to Judah.

At that time there was a re-building programme, but they both also saw into the distant future, beyond the immediate, to God's far-reaching purposes for his people. The future that they foresaw includes our present day. Perhaps their words are what the nation's leaders should be reading as they consider how to respond to our shaking world.

In 1986 at the prophetic gathering on Mt Carmel, God revealed that he is now shaking the nations, in line with Haggai's prophecy. Where does the present crisis fit into this context?

The Mount Carmel Gathering

Haggai spoke prophetically in words that are easy to understand. At the 1986 gathering on Mount Carmel, it was Haggai's prophecy that was brought into focus.

The writer to the Hebrews, writing several centuries later, understood that Haggai spoke of the future: "Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens" (Heb 12:26; Hag 2:6). The Lord showed this to the prophetic gathering of 1986 and since then the world has indeed been subject to shaking – a shaking that goes on and on. These things have been highlighted in Prophecy Today since then.

Where, therefore, does the present world crisis - with its scattered outbursts of terrorism and a major conflict in the Middle East - fit into this prophetic context? Let us revisit the prophecy.

Haggai in Focus

Haggai re-stated his prophecy towards the end of chapter 2. Consider how clearly this describes today's escalating conflict among the nations:

I am going to shake the heavens and the earth.
I will overturn royal thrones
and shatter the power of the foreign [Gentile] kingdoms.
I will overthrow chariots and their drivers;
horses and their riders will fall,
each by the sword of his brother. (2:20-22)

The weapons and armoury of Haggai's day were chariots, horses and swords. These are symbolic of the more powerful weaponry of our day - the day of fulfilment. Haggai's prophecy is being fulfilled today: God has set this time for dealing with the Gentile nations, overthrowing their power, and humbling them.

Plans for Harvest

Elsewhere in the Bible we read of God's redemptive purposes for Israel, his plans for strengthening all his covenant family across the whole world, and the great ingathering for the Kingdom that will result from the shaking – all with the return of Jesus in focus.

God has set this time for dealing with the Gentile nations – this is a day of fulfilment.

Plans for Judgment

In this particular passage from Haggai we read of the way God will deal with unrighteousness among the nations – this is what God is doing in the world conflict that is escalating today. These are not just chance happenings, it is God saying: I am bringing this about.

Plans for Humbling

The final phrase of this prophecy is especially relevant when we consider current debates on whether to wage war in Syria. This is the day where God's judgement will be outworked by Gentile nations being brought low – each by the sword of his brother.

It is no wonder that, humanly speaking, there is no clear way forward to defeat terrorism. The nations will bring one another down in the escalating conflicts of our day - one way or another. This is what is happening before our eyes - and Almighty God has given us plenty of time to consider this, as he spoke through his prophet Haggai roughly 2,500 years ago.

Humanly speaking, there is no clear way forward. But our understanding should be that God is allowing this escalating crisis – in fact, it has long been foretold.

This is Not Pacifism

This is the understanding that should motivate decisions in the UK's parliament. We are on a dangerous path to destruction unless we understand what God is doing in judgment and seek a way forward in prayer together – prayer across the nation.

This may seem to be a call to pacifism, to be anti-war, against involvement in armed conflict. It is not that. We can be pacifist and still not be right before God. We must set ourselves to discover what God is doing today and why – it is a call to the prayer room and separation from a self-destructive world, until we understand the path he desires us to walk.

There are pacifist voices in the current parliament, but not with prophetic understanding. The position of a righteous nation, one that escapes the infighting and mutual destruction of the coming days, is to seek God in all respects. God is outworking the final steps of his covenant purposes and we must walk with him through these days of prophetic fulfilment. We must be doing what he is doing.

God is outworking his covenant purposes and we must walk with him through these days of prophetic fulfilment - we must be doing what he is doing.

What Must We Do Next?

It is likely that however we engage with the current military conflict - even if we withdraw completely - we will not have the right overall objectives. Withdrawal from the conflict is just the first step, recognising that we will not escape God's judgment simply through holding back our military power.

We must pursue understanding of what pleases God so that our nation will be once more protected, once more used for his Gospel and covenant purposes. Central to this is the call for the Church to be the watchman to the nation and to be engaged in intercessory prayer.

Haggai has spoken clearly, not just to the returning exiles of his day but to all countries of the world in the day in which we live. We do have the word of God for our times, spoken around 2,500 years ago to explain to us what God is doing this week and in the coming weeks, months and years.

This week a key question is whether to escalate armed conflict in Syria. Soon there will be other challenges and momentous decisions. Every decision must be guided by the word of God. Nothing else ultimately will succeed in bringing peace and protection.

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.

As Russian planes bomb Syria and clouds continue to gather over the Middle East, Clifford Hill asks: are we one step closer to the fulfilment of Ezekiel 38?

Once again Putin has outmanoeuvred Obama. At their meeting in Washington earlier this week, Putin offered the involvement of Russian forces in the fight against the Islamic State. Obama welcomed it! He didn't spot Putin's ploy!

Just Who is Russia Attacking?

Within 48 hours of their meeting, Russian forces piled into Syria with air-to-air missiles and SA-22 anti-aircraft batteries. But the Islamic State has no air force! So whose planes would Russia be shooting down? The only planes flying over Syria are American and French. No wonder the Russians delivered a one-hour warning to the American embassy in Baghdad telling them not to fly any missions.

Russia then launched air attacks upon the area occupied by Syrian rebels trained by the USA and supplied with American weapons in their fight against Assad. So what Obama agreed to do was the slaughter of those whom America has been supporting. Russia is now free to roam the skies over Syria in support of Assad without any commitment to destroying the Islamic State.

Obama accepted Putin's offer of military action against IS – and has unwittingly given Russia control over Syrian airspace.

International Alliances

This conflict is about far more than a disagreement about Assad's ability to rule: it is about strategic control of the entire Middle East. At the same time as launching the recent airstrikes, Russia has joined an intelligence-gathering centre in Baghdad set up by Iraq, Iran and Syria which effectively establishes a Shi'ite Muslim alliance over the whole Middle East from Iran to the Mediterranean Sea. When they have settled their battle for supremacy over the Sunni Muslims they will turn to their final objective – the destruction of Israel.

Russia knows that they only have another 16 months of Obama's weak presidency so now is the time to strike and establish their power base in the region. Meanwhile, anti-Assad rebel groups have their own international backers – including Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia as well as the US, the UK and France. Syria's civil war is fast threatening to become a proxy war – and could potentially escalate even beyond this.

The Shi-ite Muslim alliance being established over the Middle East has a final goal: and it's not victory over the Sunnis. It's the destruction of Israel.

Threat to Israel

The threat to Israel grows daily and becomes increasingly like the biblical scenario which was revealed to the prophet Ezekiel in chapters 38 and 39 which speaks of an alliance between Iraq and Iran plus the North African states of Sudan and Libya, and the involvement of the Azerbaijan area of Russia (Eze 38:5-6), all gathering to attack Israel.

The big question facing us is this: is Ezekiel's prophecy inevitable? Or has it been sent by God as a warning of what could happen if we do nothing when violent men who care nothing for human life, armed with weapons of mass destruction, come together threatening the peace of the world?

We welcome your comments!