The Spiritual and Ideological Battle Against Israel: Unmasking the Forces at Play

The ongoing conflict surrounding Israel is not merely a geopolitical issue but a complex interplay of spiritual, ideological, and historical factors. The world's and the church's responses to the ongoing reality of Israel can be viewed along a spectrum. On one end, there is the recognition of Israel's identity and existence as God's enduring people, whose calling is irrevocable. On the opposite end, there are tragic events like the Holocaust, driven by the belief that they should be eradicated. Between these extremes lies a range of varied perspectives and responses.

When Yeshua says, "You will be hated by everyone because of me," it inherently includes hatred "because of Israel," as the Messiah of Israel, the King of the Jews, is inseparable from his people. Thus, it is fair to interpret this as, "You will be hated by all people because of Israel." Sadly, many Christians don’t see it this way, but it is a profound truth. This multifaceted conflict reveals a deeper struggle, where spiritual malice and ideological propaganda fuel a pervasive hatred for Israel, challenging both its legitimacy and its people.

A December 2013 survey by the Harvard-Harris Poll reveals a concerning trend: 60 percent of American adults aged 18-24 believe the October 7 attack on Israel was justified, 67 percent view Jews as oppressors, and 51 percent think the long-term solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is for "Israel to be ended and given to Hamas and the Palestinians." This demographic shift suggests a future where Gen Z, as they rise to political power, may shift the United States' stance from support for Israel to condemnation, fostering an environment of baseline anti-Semitism. This change raises the question: how did this shift in perspective occur?

Redefined Morality

The anti-Israel sentiment prevalent today is a symptom of a broader moral inversion that secular culture has undergone in recent decades. This shift does not reflect a lack of concern for morality but rather a redefined morality that labels good as evil and evil as good. A fundamental tenet of this new morality is the vilification of the State of Israel, seen by many as an embodiment of evil to be condemned by all rational, moral individuals. This viewpoint has spread unchecked among progressive opinion-makers and celebrities, dominating media coverage of the Middle East. The United Nations has consistently condemned Israel for alleged human rights violations while ignoring the actions of actual violators such as Russia, China, Turkey, and corrupt regimes in Africa and the Middle East. Countries like Iran and Pakistan, notorious for their own human rights abuses, join in this condemnation, united by their disdain for the West and Israel.

The Muslim perspective on Israel is rooted in a shared apocalyptic and messianic worldview, which envisions a future utopian world order achieved through Jihad against Israel and the West. This perspective was bolstered by Hitler's anti-Jewish propaganda during World War II, which continues to circulate in the Arab world. However, this historical context does not fully explain why students at prestigious universities like Harvard are chanting slogans reminiscent of Hitler's Final Solution, calling for a "global intifada." This alarming trend sees young Americans glorifying Hitler's genocidal ambitions, idolizing past communist revolutionaries, and even admiring figures like Osama bin Laden just two decades after 9/11. The question arises: how did we reach a point where such extreme views are openly celebrated by the youth?

The Social Justice Movement

To understand today's social justice movement, we need to examine the concept of "justice" within "social justice." This definition of justice originates from Marxist ideology, which seeks to create class warfare by dividing society into two groups: oppressors and the oppressed. According to this worldview, societal disparities arise when one group oppresses another. While the call for social justice may echo biblical sentiments to care for the downtrodden, the disenfranchised, and the poor, the current social justice movement often deviates from these teachings. It promotes an ideology that erases distinctions, penalizes excellence, and punishes progress, viewing these as tools of oppression. This perspective eliminates moral absolutes, instead evaluating right and wrong based on victimhood, materialism, and social empowerment. In this new moral order, the successful are seen as inherently wrong and must be disempowered, while the underprivileged are viewed as inherently right and must be empowered, regardless of how the imbalance occurred. Justice, in this context, is achieved when the oppressed overthrow the oppressors. For instance, movements to defund the police and decriminalize certain actions stem from this paradigm, where law enforcement is perceived as the oppressor and criminals as victims. This approach renders objective standards of justice irrelevant, as every conflict is interpreted through the lens of oppressor versus oppressed.

The Soviet Influence: Propaganda, Arafat, and the Persistent Anti-Israel Sentiment

Israel's success as a Western power in the Middle East threatened Russia's regional ambitions, prompting the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964 as part of a broader movement against "Western imperialism." After the Soviet proxies suffered significant losses in the Six-Day War, the USSR intensified its anti-Zionist propaganda within the United Nations, exploiting existing animosities. In the early 1970s, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, notorious for his terrorist activities, was taken under the wing of the Soviet KGB, financially supported, and reeducated by Nicolae Ceausescu, a brutal communist dictator. Drawing lessons from the Vietnam War protest movement in America, Arafat rebranded himself as a statesman representing a displaced nation seeking peace, successfully deceiving global leaders and earning a Nobel Peace Prize. Despite being offered a two-state solution, which he declined, Arafat secretly funded terrorism against Israel while enriching himself with international donations meant for Palestinian refugees. Although Arafat is gone, his legacy persists in the enduring anti-Israel sentiment. Similarly, the USSR's 1970s-era propaganda, which portrayed Israel as an illegitimate colonialist state oppressing an innocent indigenous population, continues to influence global perceptions even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

From Cold War Propaganda to Modern Activism: The Unseen Influence on Today's Youth

Young leftists today are unknowingly echoing propaganda created by the KGB during the Cold War. This rhetoric, embedded within academic institutions and social movements, was disguised with politically correct terms like diversity, equity, inclusion, reparations, and decolonization. This new morality has permeated universities, schools, curricula, textbooks, and government organizations, fostering an ethical system that uses intimidation, censorship, and intolerance to champion marginalized groups against perceived oppressors. This is why supporters of Hamas also advocate for various anti-establishment social causes, including LGBTQ+ rights. The ideological battle has evolved into a war against Western culture and Judeo-Christian values, as the Bible's principles of justice and fairness contradict materialist Marxist philosophies. Historically, Marxist regimes have promoted atheism and persecuted Jews and Christians. Speaking against this trend has become risky, leading to cancel culture, job losses, and social media bans. This has resulted in a generation of moral cowardice, where leaders and experts avoid challenging the prevailing ideology. Social media platforms further exacerbate the situation by amplifying fresh propaganda from Russia and China, explaining why educated Western youth now call for the dismantling of Israel, the only free, democratic nation in the Middle East that upholds liberal ideals.

The Spiritual Battle Against Israel and God's Promises

Behind the scenes, a powerful spiritual malice orchestrates disparate players, moving them like chess pieces. This deep-rooted hatred for Israel, Zion, and the Jewish people ultimately signifies a war against God. The Jewish people, whether they accept it or not, serve as a priesthood among the nations, their existence testifying to God's reality and the truth of the Scriptures. When they are exiled from Israel, God's promises seem broken, and His name is profaned among the nations (Ezekiel 20). However, their presence in Israel sanctifies God's name and signals the nearness of redemption and His kingdom (Ezekiel 36). Thus, to profane God's name, one must remove the Jewish people from Israel and attempt their eradication, waging a war against God. This explains the pervasive hatred for Israel, but we are encouraged by Jesus' words, "The one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22).

Closing Thoughts

In the face of pervasive anti-Israel sentiment and the powerful forces of spiritual and ideological opposition, it is crucial to recognize the deeper currents at play. The Jewish people’s presence in Israel stands as a testament to God's promises and a beacon of hope for the fulfillment of biblical prophecy. As believers, we are called to stand firm, understanding that the battle against Israel is ultimately a battle against God's plan as Consummator and Redeemer of all creation. Despite the growing challenges and the shifting political landscape, we can find solace in the words of Yeshua: "The one who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matthew 10:22). This assurance anchors us in the hope that, through perseverance and faith, we will witness the ultimate triumph of God's promises.

References

This lesson was curated from First Fruits of Zion and teachings of Daniel Lancaster.