Nation Against Nation
Yeshua’s description of the final days in the last generation before the Great Tribulation at first seems vague and non-specific. There have always been wars, false prophets, famines, earthquakes, hate, and violence. What has He really said that would be discernable signs leading to the end?
As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" And Yeshua answered and said to them, "See to it that no one misleads you. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Messiah,' and will mislead many. You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:3-14
Yeshua’s description of the final days in the last generation before the Great Tribulation at first seems vague and non-specific. There have always been wars, false prophets, famines, earthquakes, hate, and violence. What has He really said that would be discernable signs leading to the end?
I have studied this passage many times trying to bring out every bit of understanding, but I know there must be more to it. If you ask anyone if these words seem to be fulfilled in our days, you will get a substantially affirmative response.
Sometimes prophecy is best understood after the event happens. In fact, this is very true. Suddenly we see and it obvious to all. Many of the prophecies of the Messiah Himself are like that. We see the suffering Servant of Isaiah 53 now that we have seen the crucifixion. But, who understood before then that the Messiah would be crucified?
With some of that same logic and anticipation, let us examine a more dramatic fulfillment of the Lord’s return and what we are expecting. What if the real intent of Yeshua’s prophetic picture of the world was a combination of sorrows feeding on one another compounding the effect of universal hopelessness and despair vs. out-of-control sinfulness? In other words, it is not the individual events He is speaking of; He is describing a world where all of these things are happening at the same time. The conflicts and harm He has spoken of will reach down into the core of the human experience and go beyond past history and its struggles. The Great Tribulation is to be a time of distress as the world has never seen before. Therefore, the beginning of sorrows (that which precedes the Great Tribulation) is to take on deeper dimensions of struggle. In this age of comparative ease, it is difficult, if not impossible, to visualize such events. But, let’s step back and consider a much more profound effect over what history has shown us in previous wars. Let’s focus on one aspect of Yeshua’s examples: Nation against nation, kingdom against kingdom.
Take a single nation and consider the nature of the conflict described by Yeshua. First, nation against nation means there is conflict with various neighboring nations. Add to that, for the sake of seeing the picture, the conflict includes all aspects of conflict. This would include ideological, geographical, strategic, social, economic, geo-political, and religious areas. Then let’s have conflict within the borders of that same nation, kingdom against kingdom. In our day, there are very few “kingdoms.” However, this could be interpreted as being differing political factions or ethnicities (races) within a nation. This internal conflict could additionally include all aspects of governmental and judicial corruption, racial strife, and wanton violence. Add to that religious persecution. Whatever morality of civilized society may have existed in this single nation is shredded and offers no guidance whatsoever. This nation would experience mass confusion, the inability to defend itself, and be left without hope for their future existence. This would be a nation ready for enslavement to any tyrant. There would be a never ending slide towards the complete loss of freedom and liberty. They would suffer massive loss.
The above example was pulling out all the stops, but we can see that in our lifetime, conflicts have been occurring little by little, a few here, a few there that have resulted in unsatisfactory outcomes that continue to simmer under the radar, but have the potential to rage again when the circumstances are right.
When nations are being destroyed inside and out, this is the sign Yeshua was referring to. His prophecy speaks to a multitude of nations with this kind of turmoil as the beginning of sorrows.
Let’s take a moment and examine our own nation, the United States of America. Do you think it is too big to fail? I’m not going to quote statistics about our national state of affairs. I learned a long time ago that ‘liars figure and figures lie.’ Instead, I am going to take you back a mere dozen years. President Bush was our leader and America was in full combat mode against Muslim extremists in Iraq and Afghanistan. American blood and treasure was being spent to take the fight to them so we wouldn’t have to face terrorists on our soil like the 9/11 attack. It was in January of 2004 that I wrote an article for Yavoh entitled “The War Against God, and Why We Will Lose the War on Terror…”
It’s an interesting read if you believe in God and consider yourself to be in the last generation. In particular, it clearly states why the world and our leaders (Republican and Democrat) will not win the peace against Muslim extremists. It addresses the strategy of how to win a war when it is nation against nation and how we seem to be doing the opposite of winning.
I’m going to share some highlights from that article, and I want you to remember that these words were offered more than 12 years ago and the President being referred to was not Barack Obama. Then, I am going to review the actions of President Obama that are bringing our nation to the brink of collapse, both nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom. I think we are in the midst of what Yeshua was talking about.
Maybe you haven’t noticed it, but I think you probably have… The time is quickly approaching when you will be hated because of your faith and testimony of God. Now, I am not talking about a little scorn or disregard from your family or friends; I’m talking about from people who don’t know you, but know that you represent or are associated with God. I am talking about the kind of hatred that results in harassment, intimidation, and a threat to your person. This is the kind of hatred that the prophecies tell us is to come. From my point of view, I can see a growing trend that our God is not wanted anymore by the world. If they reject our God, it follows that we too will be hated. I am convinced that the hatred of God and His people is growing with acceptance every day now, fueled in part by the war on terror and the conflict with Islamic terrorists. No longer is the war against God on the back burner simmering throughout history. Specific events in our very own communities and with many national governments is indicating that faith in God is being equated with extremist and dangerous behavior. We are being stereotyped and prejudged. The anti-God forces are becoming bolder. There is a war against God and the battle lines are quickly approaching us.
Before we go any further, let’s set some definitions in order for the purpose of this article. When I use the expression "God", I am referring to the Creator of heaven and earth; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of the Bible, the God of our Messiah Yeshua; the Holy Spirit; the God of Israel; our Redeemer and Savior. The list goes on but I think you understand my purpose. When I use the expression "god", I am referring to any idol, imagination of a god, or anything valued improperly as [a] god. Therefore, "god" is anything set up against God.
Yeshua addressed the days when wars would become rampant and the time would come for us to be hated as well. He framed His comments in response to the disciples asking about His return.
For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. Matthew 24:7
Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations on account of My name. And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another. Matthew 24:9-10
Wars and rumors (echoes) of wars is probably the first and most common prophecy of the end that most of us have heard. I am part of the baby boomer generation. I grew up in the shadow of two previous world wars. However, something began to change in my generation. Wars became different. In my generation, the Korean war and the Vietnam War became wars without winners. In my generation, we have had a mix of wars, each one dragging on into further conflicts. Even the Gulf War led to another war with Iraq ten years later. The present conflict in both Afghanistan and Iraq goes on daily with a fear that our troops will be stuck there. The armies have been defeated, their leaders dethroned and run out. So, why isn’t the war over, with clear winners and losers? Now consider the newest of wars we are facing – the war on terror. Consider Yeshua’s prophecy again. There have always been wars, but today’s generation, nobody seems to be able to win any war. They just keep dragging on. I think this is the unique factor behind Yeshua’s prophecy—conflicts that never find resolution. Yeshua said that this kind of unresolved conflict would result in hatred against us because they will hate God.
The President says that the war with Iraq and against Al Qaeda is not a religious war. The Muslim extremists say it is. The Islamists use a particular word to describe the kind of war they are fighting. I’m sure that you have heard it; it is Jihad. Jihad is the Islamic definition for a holy war; a war fought for or against the god of Allah. Make no mistake about it, the Islamic world considers the war on terror to be a war against Islam, Allah, and Allah’s servants. At the bull’s-eye of the conflict is Israel. The very existence of Israel is an affront to the Islamic world. Israel understands well the motivations and the blood thirsty intent of Islamists toward Jews and Israel. They have been fighting the war against terror much longer than the United States. The fact is that terror is just a tactic used by Islamists in their hatred and war against the God of Israel and His Messiah. In 2001, Osama Bin Laden decided that they should expand their attacks to supporters of Israel and other enemies of Allah. We had the destruction of the World Trade Center. Suddenly, the war on terror was at the global level (at least according to United States’ definition).
The President is simply wrong when he says that the war on terror is not a religious war. The war on terror is about God, who is God, and whose god is bigger than God. This is fundamental to the madness called the war against God.
The President has also made [a] second mistake in this matter. The President believes that Allah, the God of Israel, and Jesus Christ are all the same God. I can assure you that Muslims do not believe Allah is the God of Israel. They also do not believe that Allah has any son. Judaism does not, for a moment, consider the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to be Allah, the moon god. The crescent moon is the symbol of Islam and originates from the ancient religion of the middle east area. Some untaught and unstable Christians might express a belief in monotheism, as the President did, but Christian teachers will clearly explain a vast and irreconcilable difference between Allah and the trinity of God. So, for the President to make this statement that Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share the same god is evidence of his ignorance of theology and his own professed faith.
The President is also making a third mistake. The President has stated that Islam is a great religion of peace. He believes that Islamic extremists have hijacked Islam for their own purposes to force their will on others. Rather than listen to my definition of Islam in opposition to the President, let’s allow an Islamic scholar to define Islam. Not just any scholar, mind you, let’s listen to the pre-eminent legal scholar of Islam, recognized worldwide and by the Islamic world.
In an article from Bat Ye’or and Andrew Bostom in FrontPage Magazine as recent as 12/3/02, the following definition was given.
"Ibn Khaldun (d.1406) ostensibly the pre-eminent Islamic scholar in history, summarized five centuries of prior Muslim jurisprudence with regard to the uniquely Islamic institution of jihad as follows:
‘In the Muslim community, the holy war [jihad] is a religious duty, because of the universalism of the (Muslim) mission and (the obligation to) convert everybody to Islam either by persuasion or force…Islam is under obligation to wield power over other nations.’"
Islam actually means "submission" and this is their goal. If an Islamic believer says differently, they are in conflict with the Koran and Islamic thinking.
This is why I find statements by the President and other national leaders referring to Islam as a great religion of peace as just plain wrong. Monotheism is by its very nature in conflict with idols and idolaters. The Bible does not shy away from the conflict caused by other gods being set up. Islam doesn’t either. Muslims teach against idolatry and any god set up against Allah. This is the reason for conflict between Islamic terrorists and Israel, the God of Israel, or anyone supporting either. They consider the God of Israel and the Messiah to be false gods and Allah is the only true god.
Some in Christianity say that Yeshua brought peace and goodwill to all men. Therefore, there is no conflict between Christianity and anyone else supporting another god. They are wrong of course. The New Testament clearly states that upon Yeshua’s return, He will ride a white horse in with the cavalry of heaven, to do away with all of His enemies (other gods). It is pretty clear that however you define your monotheism, there is some sort of major conflict.
The Old Testament is filled with wars, captivity, and armed struggle. King David was one of the best among the best. While Christianity doesn’t have Biblical stories of wars, the history of Christianity does not take second place in world history when it comes to wars. The New Testament says, "We wrestle not with flesh and blood, but with…" Islam, Judaism, and Christianity (all monotheistic based) are all about the struggle between good and evil.
All of the President’s statements have led me to believe he is making the greatest of mistakes for the world. He has directed the forces of the United States and other coalition partners in a war on terror. The President will not win the war on terror. Will he win some battles? Yes. But, he will lose the war because he does not understand his enemy’s purpose in fighting, and he does not understand how to defeat such an enemy.
Let’s take a lesson from history about wars and warfare. Why are wars sometimes won resulting in peace, and why do some wars like those in our generation, never end or have clear winners and losers? In historical times, nations and kingdoms have fought each other with clear winners and losers. Why is the Middle East different? Why do we still have conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan? Didn’t we decisively defeat their armies? So, why is there no peace and conflict rages daily? Didn’t we capture Saddam Hussein? Didn’t we win already?
Let’s talk strategy and not tactics. To strategically win a war, you must defeat what your enemy believes in. This is why past wars have had winners and losers in previous generations and why the wars continue to drag on in our generation. In the past, nations and kingdoms defeated their opponents by defeating what they believed in. World War II saw the defeat of Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. It wasn’t so much that we defeated their armies or possessed their lands, we defeated what they believed in. Germany thought the Third Reich would rule Europe for a thousand years. The Germans believed in the Fuhrer, their leader, Adolf Hitler. Japan believed in the Empire of Japan with its Imperial Emperor. Only after Hitler was dead and the Japanese Emperor surrendered did the wars end. Even then, secret Nazi and neo Nazi types have remained (because of what they believe in) but they no longer had the means to wage war. Do you remember the stories of Japanese soldiers stranded on Pacific islands, finally found 20, 30, and 40 years after the war, still trying to survive and fight World War II? Yes, it is true that superior forces attacked both and many victories in battle were won, but the belief system of the Germans and the Japanese is what was defeated. While the Allies completely occupied Germany, taking Berlin with Hitler’s death, they proved that the Aryan race was not superior. Two atomic bombs convinced the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese people that they were fighting something superior to their definition of god. The Allies were clear winners with the people and nations of Germany and Japan surrendering.
If you go back to Biblical battles, this principle of winning in warfare was the same. This is why temples were destroyed. You must defeat what the enemy believes in to defeat them. Otherwise, the struggle goes on and on. In some battles, there was no superior military force overcoming another. History has shown that some nations and kingdoms have defeated themselves because they cease to believe in themselves. This happened to the Soviet Union in our generation. There are many in America who fear the same fate as we continue to leave the founding principles of our nation. Then there is the ancient example of how Israel (a bunch of slaves) was delivered from the greatest nation and kingdom of its time – Egypt. This was a war where God defeated Egypt by defeating their gods. As a result, He defeated what the Egyptians believed in; Israel was freed. When Pharaoh’s chariots did appear, God led them into the Red Sea.
Let’s state the principle again. You only win wars if you defeat what the enemy believes in. If he believes in his country, you have to take it away. If he believes in his leader, you have to take the leader out. If he believes in his god, you must prove to him that his god is not God.
Now let’s talk tactics. First, terrorism is a tactic; it is not a strategy. Terrorism is the tactic of choice for fanatic Muslims and Palestinians, originating against Israel and spreading to nations that support Israel. The exceptions are the IRA against Britain and the Muslim rebels within the Confederation of Independent States (CIS) headed by Russia. They were just following the tactical example used by the Islamic terrorists. Terror is the use of bombs, hijackings, and kidnaping to induce fear into a people. You can counter a tactic, but you cannot defeat it. You must defeat the person using the tactic.
So who is the nation or kingdom we are against in the war on terror? Islam is a kingdom with many servants. Allah is their god and king. Muslim nations cooperate with each other just as Western nations cooperate with each other in a war. Islamic terrorists believe in Allah and Islam. They are strongly motivated to destroy and harm Jews and any other nation that does not submit to Allah and the teachings of the Koran. Jews are particularly targeted as the teachings of the Koran call for their death directly. In a much more simplified expression by Islamic activists, they say that Jews are to be slain on Saturday and Christians on Sunday. Wait a minute! Why are Christians considered an enemy to Islam by them? The answer comes from history. The Christians believe in the Christ (the Jewish Messiah) and the Christian Crusaders came slaughtering Muslims (infidels and heathen) in the great crusades. I can assure you that the Muslims have never forgotten them. Today, America with its Jewish and Evangelical Christian voters support Israel. The United States is definitely on the target for Islamic activists. In fact, Muslims refer to the United States conquest against Afghanistan and Iraq as a Zionist/Christian crusade.
Why do you think the Islamic terrorists hit the World Trade Center? We know they hate us for our support of Israel, but why did they attack the WTC in New York specifically? They were attacking what they think America believes in. America believes in the Almighty Dollar. They want to replace America’s belief system (confidence, trust, and surety) with fear. They want to make America be submitted (Islam). Terrorism is a tactic to put fear into another people’s belief system.
Make no mistake about this, all Muslims want to make you submit to their faith. The tactics may vary, but the strategic goal is the same. This is why Muslims prefer to build mosques upon the previous ground of a church or synagogue. Why do you think Muslims hold in such high regard the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque on the former Jewish temple mount? If you will do a little research, you will discover that new mosques are not new development or construction areas. They prefer to build them on the former foundations of churches throughout Europe and the United States. They are making a statement. They want to replace what others believe so they will submit to Islam.
The Islamic terrorists are true believers in their religion. They believe in Allah and they do want [to] bring the other nations and kingdoms into submission of Islam. Their leaders have told them that the most noble thing, and the best way to get to paradise, is by killing the enemies of Allah. Killing oneself (suicide attack) while killing the enemies of Allah (such as Jews and those who support Israel) is an instant ticket to paradise and Allah’s harem in heaven. Excuse my oversimplification of Islamic teaching, but it remains accurate. I am sure there are some Muslim believers (here in the United States) who say that the Islamic terrorists have hijacked their religion. I can understand that kind of disagreement, since we have Christian abortion clinic bombers who don’t represent the Christian faith either. But my point of why Islamic terrorists do what they do still stands. The fact is that the Koran, not the Bible, says that their believers should get others to "submit" by persuasion or by force.
In a recent statement by Islamic terrorists to their brethren worldwide, they exhorted their faithful with these words. The statement was entitled, "The Final Blows in the Decisive Battles are at Hand." It was released December 30, 2003. I have copied certain segments.
"This posting is aimed at reinforcing the morale of Islamic activists in their ongoing struggle. We are now living in crucial days and we are seeing how the government of the idol of this age [a reference to all governments opposed to them, particularly the United States] is filled with fear and dread, dreaming of obtaining security and calm, and spending a billion dollars every week … We are seeing that they have understood the oath of the commander of Jihad army [a reference to Osama Bin Laden] and they now know that he meant exactly what he said [a reference to his statement against the new crusaders]. We are now engaged in Jihad between the armies of faith, truth, and goodness as opposed to the armies of unbelief, falsehood, and evil… The swords have been drawn from their scabbards, and the fingers are on the triggers. Happy are those who choose the camp of the believers and choose the profitable deal [a reference to making themselves martyrs for Allah] and woe to those who join the losers [a reference to the coalition forces] who are in the lowest compartment of Hell."
This is a religious message. This will preach in any mosque. It is a call to faith and obedience to Allah. This is their theological basis for killing us. For the President to say this is not a religious war or anyone to say this is not about the war against our God is tantamount to sticking your head in the sand so you can’t see.
Before we leave this strategy and tactics discussion, let’s answer an unspoken question. Am I advocating violence against Muslims? Am I spewing the religion of hatred, trying to promote an atmosphere of killings and conflict toward the people who believe in Islam? My answer is ABSOLUTELY NOT. I believe that truth is what sets people free. I am for truth, not my version of truth or any other man’s version of it. I am for the truth of God. That is the truth that sets men free. The truth is that we only do what we believe in. As long as Muslims believe that Allah is greater, they will continue to wage war for him. When they discover that he is not greater and does not exist, they will not believe in him. The warfare will be over. Fundamentally, this is how you stop every Islamic terrorist in his tracks without using one satellite guided bomb or any other weapon system in the U.S. arsenal.
Strategically, before you can win any war, you must understand what the enemy believes in and why he wants to fight you. If and when you defeat that belief system, the war is over. The war on terror will not be over until Islamist activists no longer believe that they are fighting for Allah. Either the belief in Allah with its extremist teachings must die or they, the promoters of the teaching, must die. Presently, we have a war of attrition with the terrorists. The President has said that the war on terror would be long. It will also be expensive, costly to many lives and play into the hands of what the Islamic activists already believe. In fact, I believe the President’s approach actually helps with recruitment and the core support for its continued battle.
Presently, the Middle East is rife with rumors of the Americans already fighting a Jihad against Allah. CBN News posted an article dated December 22, 2003 making this very point. According to their report, rumors are rampant in nations such as Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates that America’s "intent to stamp out Muslims" with a "Christian and Zionist invasion" using U.S. forces accompanied by "missionaries." A Saudi Arabian called the Al Jazeera Arab media and complained, "As it says in the Koran, they are going to fight you until you abandon your religion."
Since President Obama took the helm of leadership, he has approached the conflict between the United States and Muslim extremists by withdrawing forces and trying to act like there is no “real” conflict. He is adamant about not using the words “Islam” or “Islamic” when referring to any terrorist incident. He refuses to acknowledge that Islam by its tenets is opposed to Western culture and customs. So pro-Islamic is his stance that many are convinced he holds to the Islamic faith himself.
When you mix his ideology and theology into the events since 9/11, you see the incredible assault against the United States internally, even more than all terror attacks from the outside. In fact, his actions and decisions, particularly opening immigration to Muslims, has brought Jihadi and Sharia philosophy to Main Street of America. The Democrats have bought it hook, line, and sinker. This is truly kingdom against kingdom conflict.
At the recent Republican Convention, you saw American flags and patriotism for America with fanfare. At the Democratic Convention, very few American flags were shown. Instead, there were Palestinian flags, Israeli flags being burned outside, and anti-American sentiments in abundance. The contrast was stunning. Simply put, the United States is now divided against itself (kingdom against kingdom).
So what does Yeshua’s prophecy about the beginning of sorrows bode for us?
It has already started. The first line of defense is law and order. Police officers are being assassinated and not supported by the Federal Government. In fact, the president takes the opportunity to scold the American population that police have it coming and infer support for the perpetrators. As well, the Government is slow to credit a terrorist incident as an act of terrorism. The Government does not want to believe that black people can be racist against whites, Latinos, or Asians. Only white people can be racists, according to them. That is America today.
In other nations it is even worse and tragic. There is open persecution at many levels. There is no righteousness in government anymore. This is the meaning of nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom.
The Apostle Paul spoke to these same issues paralleling what Yeshua had said.
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, …
2 Timothy 3:1-4
This is a parallel teaching to what Yeshua said:
At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. Matthew 24:10-12
When I listen to representatives and those who speak for the group “Black Lives Matter,” calling for the death of police officers, or Muslims advocating Sharia laws, or Democratic Liberal Progressives calling everyone a racist or a homophobe, I remember the words of Yeshua and the Apostle Paul. Our nation and our world is being ripped to shreds. It is even worse in other lands.
Twelve years ago I wrote we were going to lose this war. It is because of what is in the heart of men, what they believe or don’t believe in. Half of the citizens in America don’t believe in America, the America that has “In God We Trust” on our currency, or the America with the song “God Bless America.” They want a nation that has removed God and replaced it with homosexuals who will be slaughtered by Muslims, where the biggest criminals are politicians who use government resources to punish their enemies, and where police officers and law-abiding Americans are scorned as evil-doers and racists.
So, what can we expect? More of the same and even worse.
This is not the country I grew up in anymore nor is the world the same as it was. These are days that Yeshua spoke of. The Great Tribulation is approaching soon. Stop watching the “train wreck” and start preparing yourself and your family to escape and be part of Messiah’s deliverance in these last days. Don’t act out of fear; act out of faith and God’s promise. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your strength, and with all your mind. Obey His commandments. Get your Sukkah ready!