Conflicted Again...
Y’all know why the ‘Crusades’ failed, Right¿
The tensions across the area that a lot of religious folks (of several sects) call ‘The Holy Land’ are almost... almost at an all-time high. Just this last week the Israelis and Palestinians concluded... (read as: are taking a rest from) nearly two weeks relentless rocket attacks & bombings. It’s also noted that several of those rocket/missile attacks upon Israel also came from within Lebanon and Syria. HAMAS is not the only Iranian sponsored terror group attacking Israel.
Israel also faced diplomatic attacks by the US and members of Congress for defending their sovereignty from attacks by Iran’s proxies. All of this strife has been foretold by God through many prophets and even Christ himself. God tells Us plainly that suffering will be brought down upon those that forsake his Word and Will. This has been demonstrated time and time again. From the banishment from Eden, the Flood of Noah, the enslavement in Egypt and even the destruction of Jerusalem and subsequent diaspora that followed the murder of Christ by the Jewish religious establishment.
Last Sunday morning, the Pastor reminded me (and the rest of the congregation) that We are not to despair over these things... for no matter how much We worry and ‘pray’; God’s Will shall come about. In being witness to these things, we are encouraged in knowing that God will return and vanquish the Slave of Satan. No matter what eschatological perspective You hold... the end result is always the same. God will conquer all evil...
We are to be joyous in the salvation of eternal peaceful existence through Christ... that the things God is doing are to demonstrate his awesome power and glory. These things are absolute proof of the Truth of his might and his mercy. Despite all of the suffering and evil that abound... God grants an eternity of peaceful love to all his people that choose the righteous path to redemption and salvation. God always redeems his people after they turn back to Him and his will.
Herein lies a truly concerning technical issue with the whole State of Israel and the people of Palestine. Conflict that is now 75 years old. I personally think that Christ as our Savior would never condone the way that modern Israel came about and continues to exist. I cannot see where Christ would support the apartheid regime that at a flick of a thumb can cause such great suffering to their neighbors and even their own blood. But yet here We are...
I honestly cannot know how to address these inequities in American support for Zionism and professed belief in Christianity. Yes... GOD says that the tribes of Israel are his people and that we are to stand with them. But Christ also teaches that we mustn’t support or profit from the evil ways of Man. Nowhere in the New Testament will you see any of the Disciples and Teachers profess that holding power over people through hatred and violence in God’s name is acceptable... No Where.
Until the Jews return to God and accept the salvation that God gives through Christ, they will exist in conflict.