A Lesson From History That Needs to Be Learned Once Again

Over eighty years ago, a dark shadow began to appear over the landscape of Europe.  At first the world gave it little attention, its leader virtually ignored.  Yet that shadow continued to grow; its leader grew in stature among the people of Germany.  Almost without warning, the growth of Nazism exploded.  The world's leaders tried to appease its radical-madman leader, but Nazism continued to infiltrate: Austria, the Sudetenland, and Bohemia.  The goal of this maniacal Nazi leader was to rule all of Europe, if not all the world, and to show the superiority of the Arian Race.  On September 1, 1939, the armies of Nazi Germany advanced into defenseless Poland.  Brimming with success other countries soon collapsed as well.  It looked like the dream of domination by Hitler would be achieved. 


Not satisfied with just crushing nations, Hitler was bent on purging out all those who were not accepting of his radical belief system.  Concentration camps soon became extermination camps.  The Nazis became creative in how they put people to death.  Josef Mengele practiced his horrific brand of medical procedures upon the helpless victims at Auschwitz.  Millions perished through starvation, suicide, or through the gas chambers.  It was a most brutal time: the pictures still haunt us. 


But, as we know from our history books, the world came together in a united front to defeat that Axis of Germany, Italy, and Japan.  The victories did not come easily: the cost was tremendous in lives lost and monies spent.  But radical Nazism was defeated. 


Friends, I believe there is a direct parallel between the Nazi brand of beliefs in Germany of the 1930's and early 40's and those of the Islamic State today.  IS seeks to create a new Islamic Caliphate that would subject the entire world to a radical interpretation of Islam.  Their brutality is almost beyond description - certainly nothing like it has occurred since those days of Nazi domination in Europe.  These past couple of weeks we have witnessed some of the most gruesome pictures imaginable: a Jordanian pilot, locked in a cage, and then burned alive; twenty-one Egyptian Coptic Christians beheaded along the shores of the Mediterranean in Libya; forty five Iraqis burned alive just a couple days ago.  Those images need to be ingrained upon our minds as strongly as those from the Nazi death camps.


And look at how IS has expanded.  They are no longer just contained in portions of Iraq and Syria.  There are IS cells in Libya, as evidenced by their brutality this past weekend - and I read yesterday that they have captured another 45 Egyptians in Libya, whose fate can only be guessed.  There are IS cells in the Sinai, threatening both Egypt and Israel.  There are IS cells in Afghanistan, linking up with the Taliban there.  And there is a known connection between IS and AQAP (Al-Qaeda Arabian Peninsula) in Yemen.  What about the connection between IS and Boko Harum in Nigeria?  And look what has happened in Europe.  The attacks in France, then in Denmark. 


And it gets even more scary.  I was reading an article published in the Jerusalem Post that stated: "Islamic State has set its sights on taking over Libya as a bridgehead to eventually waging war all across southern Europe, the British "Telegraph" is reporting on Wednesday.  The newspaper cited letters written by ISIS supporters.  According to the report, ISIS jihadists plan to 'flood Libya with militiamen from Syria and Iraq, who will then sail across the Mediterranean posing as migrants on people-trafficking vessels.'  ISIS would then run amok in southern European cities and also try to attack maritime shipping."  Friends, look at a map.  Libya is no more than 300 miles from the southern tip of Italy.  And, as they were butchering those Coptic Christians, the IS leader said that they would destroy Rome and behead the Pope.  These people are to be taken seriously.


The Islamic State has become a real threat around the globe.  The Jordanians know it and have become aggressive in their assaults upon IS bases and supply lines in Syria.  The Egyptians know it and have launched air assaults against IS in Libya.  Even the Iranians know it and are sending supplies to Iraqi forces battling IS militants.  The Saudis are nervous, especially since the death of their king and the enthroning of a new king.  The instability in Yemen threatens the entire Arabian peninsula. 


I was reading this week that our government has agreed to allow nearly 30,000 Syrian refugees into our country.  That is a magnanimous gesture, but a very dangerous one; for as the article continued, our government has no way of adequately screening those who are entering.  Do you think that some IS militants just might be among those who slip in - legally, mind you?  How many IS militants slip over our southern border every day? 


Where is American leadership in this hour of crisis?  Well, let's look back into history and we see another parallel.  Britain and France declared war on Germany in September 1939.  President Roosevelt determined to keep America out of "Europe's War."  And that lasted until December 7, 1941 when our nation was attacked, not by Germany, but by their partner Japan.  Only then did our nation go to war.  Our President certainly does not seem to be very excited over what is happening in Africa, in the Middle East, and in Europe.  Golfing is one of his priorities - he is setting a record for golfing that I hope his successors never try to emulate.  The Egyptian president Sisi is looking for leadership; he knows taking on IS is a bigger challenge than Egypt can handle alone.  King Abdullah is looking for leadership; he knows taking on IS is a bigger challenge than Jordan can handle alone.  Prime Minister Netanyahu is wondering how the lack of American leadership will impact Israel. 


Our President can begin by identifying IS as what it is: radical Islamic terrorists.  King Abdullah has named them rightly, so has Egyptian President Sisi, and, interestingly enough, so has the Iranian President Rohani.  It is time for America to be bold, to be brave, and to lead the world once again in victory over an evil that is as destructive as was Nazism.  If the world does not unite against IS and those aligned with them, then I am fearful of the consequences for the world.


However, I need to close on a bright note: God is in control and everything is working toward the accomplishment of His plan.  So we need not despair.  We need to just move forward trusting the Lord.