A Synagogue in Jerusalem and a Cathedral in Washington: Is There a Connection?

Yesterday what can only be described as a horrific act of violence was carried out by two Palestinian men at an ultra-orthodox synagogue in Jerusalem while morning prayers were being said.  Armed with axes, butcher knives, and guns, the two Palestinian cousins entered the synagogue and, before they were shot to death by Israeli police, four rabbis had been killed and one police office who died from wounds received during the gunfire.  When news reached the streets of Gaza City, celebrations erupted and trays of candy were passed out as if this was a party atmosphere.  Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas was quick to condemn the act and Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu vowed that there would be a swift response.  Three of the rabbis murdered were America citizens who had made their homes in Israel.  The fourth rabbi was a British citizen.  Last month a three-month-old baby, the child of an American citizen living in Israel, was murdered when a Palestinian drove his car into a crowded train station.  CNN reporter Jake Tapper tweeted that "More people with American citizenship have been killed by Palestinian terrorists in the last year than have been killed by ISIS." 


The attack yesterday in Jerusalem was the worst act of violence there since 2008.  The mood within Israel, especially in Jerusalem, is one edged with fear.  And fear is one of the great weapons of the terrorists.  They really don't have to do anything but instill within a people or nation the fear that something will happen. 


The underlying problem in the Middle East can be identified very simply: Israel wants to be recognized as a legitimate Jewish state and the Arab world, as expressed in the charters of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Fatah (formerly known as the Palestinian Liberation Organization - PLO) all demand the total destruction of the State of Israel.  This is what Palestinian children are taught both at home and in their schools.  The cycle of hatred is perpetuated.  Can peace be achieved?  Absolutely not!  Unless there is a change in the climate within the Arab world toward Israel.  The Arab world needs to recognize Israel for what it is: a Jewish State.  The Arab world needs to understand that the Jews want to live in peace with their neighbors, but cannot if the culture of their neighbors is one of hatred toward them.  As long as Palestinian leaders, including Abbas, continue to recognize terrorists as heroes, the culture of violence will continue, meaning more Palestinians and more Jews will be murdered. 


Will the time ever come when the "lion will lie down with the lamb?"  The Bible assures us that it will when the Messiah comes and reigns with peace, justice, and righteousness from His throne in Jerusalem.  You can read about this in Isaiah 11.


Returning to events within our own nation.  This past Friday, The Washington National Cathedral was turned into a virtual mosque.  Muslims entered, bowed toward Mecca being careful not to view the Christian cross within the sanctuary.  I encourage you to read the entire article at: www.wnd,com/2014/11/christians-muslims-conquering-washington-national-cathedral. According to the article, "Planners of the event said in a news release that they hoped 'people around the world will take note of this service and the welcome extended by the Cathedral so that Muslims everywhere will adopt a reciprocal welcome of Christians by Muslims."  The Rev. Franklin Graham said, "It's sad to see a church open its doors to the worship of anything other than the One True God of the Bible who sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth to save us from our sins.   Jesus was clear when He said, 'I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me' (John 14:6)."  The author of the article quotes several former Muslims about the symbolism of what happened last Friday.  Mark Christian, whose father and uncle are Muslim Brotherhood members and whose great-uncle was one of its co-founders in Egypt during the 1960s, said, "Islam has a 'supremacy problem' based upon the idea that Islam has perfected the religions practiced by Jews and Christians.  In Islamic tradition, supremacy is demonstrated to all by practicing Islam where Christianity and Judaism once reigned.  This is what animates the building of mosques on the holy sites of other religions.  It is a conqueror's philosophy."  Christian continued by relating that "the decision to allow a Muslim imam to conduct an Islamic service from the altar of the National Cathedral in Washington is to Muslims the functional equivalent of Islam standing supreme atop Christianity in America 'in our own house.'"  Here is what is so astonishing: "According to Pew Research Center, Muslims make up just under 1 percent of the U.S. population."  In today's world, at least in America, it seems that the "tail is always wagging the dog." 


Friends, is there a relationship between what happened yesterday at a Jewish synagogue in Jerusalem and what happened last Friday at the National Cathedral in Washington?  Think about it for a moment and you will discover that there is a connection.  In both instances a Jewish and a Christian place of worship was assaulted by Islam: in the instance of the synagogue, the attack was with violence; in the instance of the Cathedral, it was welcomed with open arms.  We have to remember that the ultimate goal of Islam is the dominance of the world through a newly created Caliphate.  And we are seeing in Syria and Iraq, through ISIS, just what that Caliphate will look like. 


Should we be plagued with fears?  Absolutely not because our hope and our confidence is in Jesus Christ.  Who will be the ultimate Victor?  Will be it be Christ or Mohammed?  Read Revelation 19-22 and you will find the answer that alleviates all fears.  I want to share a powerful passage of Scripture as I close today.  I have taken a few liberties with the text, for reasons you will understand: "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation [including any religion that has its roots in being a creation by man] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38-39).  Amen!