A Warning to Christians in the West
And
An Apology to the Arabs in the East
(Revised January 20th 2004 to clarify some points due to some misunderstanding)
I know that right from the word go there will be many who shall take offence from the following, especially Christians in the West. Sadly, this is inevitable when truth is spoken and hidden prejudices are revealed, and added to that is often a lot of misunderstanding as well. But I feel a strong need to write this article, knowing that I am going against the general tide of Anti-Arab feeling and Islamaphobia in the West. I wish to flow in the opposite spirit to the majority, as the majority are not usually on the side of truth. I am seeking to bring some kind of balance to this subject of East versus West, Christian versus Jew versus Muslim.
Those of us in the West, especially those who call themselves Christian in the USA and Britain, should open our eyes to the hypocrisy and wickedness that is operating in our own governments, particularly in relation to the recent war on Iraq and Afghanistan and the ongoing conflict in Palestine. We must see the bigger picture of what is really happening in the name of God, Christ, Peace and so-called Democracy. We are plagued by a deceptive spirit that seeks to cover over the reality of what is really going on within many countries of the world, but especially in the Middle East - intense suffering, injustice, oppression, bloodshed, disrespect for non-whites, militaristic tyranny and terror - much of which is caused by the arrogance and greed of the western governments.
This is cleverly and conveniently glazed over by the majority of the western media and is usually portrayed in a very different light - good old propaganda, not unlike the method used by the Nazis in WWII. But thankfully, there are also numerous documentaries and witness accounts available that clearly expose the truth of the matter (Search out journalist John Pilger's documentaries and a number of others that have been aired on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 in relation to Israel/Palestine and the Iraq War).
I have felt compelled to write this because I am shocked and saddened by the attitude of many in the West, especially Christians in the US, who believe that their country and its leader is truly Christian and that they should therefore support their government and its war machine at all costs, especially against Islam! This includes those who support the State of Israel for similar reasons. But this is like saying that the Apostle Paul said that Christians should support the Roman Empire in its military campaigns, etc; or that Christ and the other Apostles encouraged that all Jews should support their nation and take up arms to fight all non-Jews in the land and exercise injustice!
This of course was not the case.I am not trying to be political in saying this, I am just speaking out what I believe is clearly evident. I am aware that Islam at its core is an oppressive religion, as is evident from a number of Islamic regimes, but I am saying these things to those who call themselves Christians because judgement begins from the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and this judgment is coming - and a number of leaders in the West claim to be Christians, that is, they claim to belong to the Body of Christ! Yet Scripture clearly states that all those who know the Lord should withdraw from injustice, not increase it (2 Timothy 2:19). Two wrongs don't make a right.
We should pray for those in authority, and seek to live righteously and submit to the authorities - but that's it really. (When I say submit to the authorities, this is only meant in so far as they remain within their God-given sphere. As soon as they start forcing laws upon us that are against God's law, we must obey God rather than men). We cannot support governments that are so wicked and rotten - as well as being very deceptive and full of liars - as most governments clearly are. I am not saying this to slander anyone, or to make false accusations about anyone in particular, I am only declaring what is evident. We are in a period of great deception and this will only increase. So we must not be gullible and naive, but instead we must be alert, being wise - and watching.
A true follower of Christ should not be a patriot or support war, no matter how good the cause appears to be! That is not our place as ambassadors for Christ. A simple reading of Christ's ministry makes this abundantly clear. Nor should we be blind to the true intent of many of our leaders, even when they claim to be 'Christians.' I am not anti-American or anti-British - far from it. But I am against the wicked hypocrisy of these governments that have brought, and are bringing further suffering, oppression and terror to many of our fellow humans, especially to Arabs in the East. Innocent children and families that have already suffered for many years are now suffering further loss and agony. So much injury and damage has already been caused over the centuries concerning relations between East and West, particularly during the Crusades in the Middle Ages. Every Christian should search the history books to learn of what really happened in the Crusades.
Of course, it goes without saying that the Muslim Arabs have also had their part to play in this and are far from being innocent, but, they do not claim to follow Christ, the Prince of Peace. And in recent centuries, the Arabs have been betrayed a number of times by the West, particularly over Palestine, and have often been the pawns in the game of world power. Reading the account of Lawrence of Arabia and the historical background of the birth of the Israeli State will show this to be true. Inevitably, like numerous patriotic zealots throughout history, the oppressed and dispossessed fight back with whatever means they have - terrorism. Of course, this is not the answer, but it is an understandable reaction in certain circumstances of hopelessness caused by iron-handed oppression. This is what injustice breeds. Even one of Jesus' Twelve apostles was originally a patriotic zealot - but his heart was changed by his Master.
Much innocent blood is on the hands of Muslim, Jewish and 'Christian' authorities, and at the present time these sins are being piled up to heaven, from which will come the righteous judgement of God to fight all injustice. This is Secret Babylon and she will be severely judged. As I have heard many cry, "Only God/Allah can save us." (I use Allah here as the Arabic for God, not as a reference to the Allah of Islam).
Although I believe that all the leaders of the world are unwittingly being manipulated by malignant invisible powers of darkness in these final hours, I also firmly believe that they will all be brought to judgement concerning every decision of their rule. This applies especially to those in the West who claim to be Christians, and to those in Israel who claim to follow the God of the Bible - their accountability is far greater.
By the Spirit of the Father in Heaven, I pray for a spirit of conciliation between West and East, Christians and Jews and Muslims. May there be forgiveness and love. May those who cry be comforted soon and may those who are oppressed be delivered soon, for He does hear their cry.
But God is NOT the God of Christendom, or of Rabbinic Judaism, or of Islam, or of numerous other religions - in truth, He is above all of these (though they all contain elements of truth). He truly is Love, Peace and Joy - the Great Spirit that rules over ALL and He will one day reconcile ALL to Himself through the One Who is His Human and Celestial Image - the One Who truly is The Messiah and Son of God, Joshua/Jesus of Nazareth.
May we all open our eyes to what is really going on in the world and in our own nations, putting away blinded bias and prejudice, seeking only truth. May we be true to the One who is our true Head and Governor, Christ Jesus, for there is only One Body.
Gerry Watts
"Love your enemies, and pray for those who are persecuting you..."
(Matthew 5:44)
"Yet seek first the kingdom and its righteousness..."
(Matthew 6:33)
"Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse, so as to be rejoicing with those who are rejoicing, and lamenting with those who are lamenting...To no one render evil for evil...Being at peace with all mankind, you are not avenging yourselves, beloved, but be giving place to His indignation, for it is written, Vengeance is Mine! I will repay! the Lord is saying...Be not conquered by evil; but conquer evil with good."
(Romans 12:14-15, 17-21)
Copyright © G Watts 2003; 2004