Why Christians and Israel are Hated

Is the Islamic State simply uncultured, barbaric and ignorant? Or, do they epitomise their spiritual god and master? For such vileness, and viciousness is the trademark of Satan according to the Judeo-Christian Bible. He is the prince of darkness. He is the hater of Israel and the Christian faith. He seeks to destroy cultural expressions and the histories of Israel and all the evidence associated with its history. Two specific words are used by the apostle Paul in describing Satan’s efforts. One is deceit (Ephesians 6:11) the other refers to purpose (2 Corinthians 2:11). You can discern these in the Islamic terror. Satan is the driving force of I.S. Hamas, P.L.O. and Hezbollah to highlight a few in his employ.

What is happening in the Middle East is a continuation of previous attempts to deny Israel’s existence and the credibility of the Bible. How was that undertaken? By endeavouring to obliterate evidence of occupying the land. As an example, for many, many years the existence of the Hittite nation existence was scoffed at as being a ‘tall tale and untrue’ to bolster Israel’s war victories. Archaeologists found this forgotten Nation and its impressive kingdom. There are many other verifications like this regarding Israel’s history.

By trying to make the Bible a series of myths the adversary wants people treat it with disdain or disregard it all together. Opponents would raise such things as, the events of the Passover and the crossing of the Red Sea. Also included, David and Goliath, David’s reign and Solomon’s temple, again to mention just a few. Where was any tangible evidence? The I.S of those times (e.g. Antiochus Epiphanes as an example) tried their best to destroy it, bury it, burn it. However, the soil of the land of Israel embraced the shattered, scattered fragments. There, in its bosom, evidence was protected until it was unearthed in recent times.

The underlying purpose of these attempts was to make the God of Israel a liar, Jesus Christ a fraud and the concept of our falling short of Heaven’s Standard, ridiculous. In the light of the work by archaeologists you would think people would be thankful for historical authentication. Unfortunately, the power of darkness, its devotees and its hatred of Israel chooses to deny and destroy.

Why? To blind a person to the truth. To put barriers in their search for truth. To make the Bible unread and thereby prevent them from escaping from the Darkness into the kingdom of Christ. God has done certain things so that the world will know and revere His Name. He wants people to know He hasn’t abandoned them but set in place a rescue mission. Yahweh recorded His intentions and has verified it over and over again. He also unmasked those past and present and future who will be Satan’s allies in trying to prevent it from happening.  The Lord offers grace and mercy to those who hear and respond to what He has done. To those who hear but disbelieve open themselves to His wrath. It isn’t the lack of information or fulfilled prophecy that is the problem. It is a person’s unbelief, pride, fear and unfettered rebellion. Illustrations of this are shown in the Scriptures in the lives of Pharaoh (Exodus 7:3-5) and the Jewish Sanhedrin (Matthew 28:11-15) and others.

The following Biblical references all state ‘(they) shall know that I am the Lord. The audience aimed at is stated in the brackets.  Exodus 6:7 (Israel) Exodus 14:4, 18 (Egypt), Joshua 4:24 (the people of the earth), 1 Samuel 17:46 (All the earth shall know about David’s slaying of Goliath and how it was achieved), Jeremiah 16:21 (Gentiles). There are many other references. God doesn’t play games. He does things with the ultimate intent of honouring His promises and warnings. God’s longing is for people to know they can trust him by trusting and obeying His Word. This is a direct challenge to Satan and his authority as people could hear and reach out to God’s Kingdom of Light. His response, destroy, destroy, destroy!

God’s answer, ‘My word… shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please…’ Isaiah 55:11 KJV. Read it and then you too will know God’s heart and invitation to you, personally. Let knowing lead to trust and onto commitment and you will find deliverance from the Darkness, forgiveness and a new beginning, a new destiny and a living hope.

 

Next week: Ezekiel the prophet’s insight into the future of what God wants us to specifically know and believe. Ezekiel says ‘to know’ approximately 82 times .

Free Speech - Free Expression

Freedom is such a precious privilege and craved for by many. However, freedom can be so easily abused. There is something perverse in the psyche of Humanity which often uses Freedom’s arena to justify vindictive actions.

We cry out for Freedom of speech yet have we asked what type of speech? Do we have the right to tell deliberate lies aimed at vilifying, harming or destroying someone? Do we have then the Freedom to take unilateral action in revenge even to the extent of murder? Does Freedom have boundaries and if so who decides what they are?

The Christian Faith has its teachings on Freedom and it covers numerous facets of life. On the matter of speech it places some boundaries. Christians are instructed to speak the truth and to do it in a special manner. That is in an attitude of love. That isn’t a sentimental sugary type of language. Rather, love is words spoken softly or strongly with a desire that the recipient of the words be helped rather than crushed.

Speech ultimately will flow from lips whose minds are dominated by one of two forces. Will it be Truth or will it be Lies? This then creates a problem for those who believe there is no such thing as absolute Truth. For them there can be no such thing as a lie. What wins out in a contest between people or ideologies? More than likely it will be some type of muscle power. Are we not witnessing this at the moment from supporters of terror? We may call them ignorant, cruel, depraved, and other terms but they justify the lie of their words with actions of brutal force. Their reaction to what they don’t like, or agree with, whether expressed by satire or statement, is to destroy. That applies to the source as well as the content.

Freedom of speech and expression is important within any society. This is extremely true to those who seek justice over injustices, revealing corruption and criminal activities, and exposing error as well as terror. We should esteem those who have risked their lives, reputation and careers to reveal the deeds of men done in the darkness of deceit or depravity. Such Freedom must be safeguarded. At the same time it must be held within the bounds of Truth.

 What can we expect from a debate on Freedom of speech and expression? A clash between the Truth of the matter and Lies masquerading behind clichés and self–righteousness. It is ultimately a contest between light and darkness, between exposing and deceiving, between community welfare and vested interests. Sometimes it appears that the darkness has won the field of battle. It is an illusionary victory. Truth has resurrection qualities and will not remain captive to its consigned grave. Time and again this is demonstrated within any arena of human endeavour. The unfortunate aspect of a Lie’s temporary victory is much sorrow, pain and ultimate shame to the Lie’s promoters.

In Matthew 12:33-37 is a statement by Jesus on an aspect most don’t take into account. Each of us must give an account to Him on how we have used our words. Not so much what was said, though that is under review, but the condition of the heart that was verbalised.

Freedom of speech and expression as well as people’s reaction to it actually uncovers the inner morality and spirituality of a person. May Proverbs 8:6–7 be our heartbeat: ‘ will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right; for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips’.

 ©Ray Hawkins Jan 2015