By Nena C. Benigno
Last October 7, evangelical Christians reeled in shock, grieved and prayed to the heavens, after Hamas terrorists from the Gaza butchered and burned alive 1,139 Israelis and visitors, and seized 251 hostages. In the Philippines, church groups gathered for open air rallies, a motorcade, a candlelight vigil and even a bikeathon to empathize and sympathize with the embattled Jewish state and demand the release of the hostages.
This coming October 7, exactly one year after the carnage, Christians will gather once again to stand with Israel despite rising global anti-Semitism and the threat of all-out war between Israel and Iran-backed terrorists in Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq and Syria. The commemorative event is titled “UNITED IN LIGHT, Christian Solidarity with Israel through Courage and Faith.” A highlight is the screening of the documentary film “Nova,” the peace concert in the Negev Desert that became the deadliest musical event in history. Brother Eddie Villanueva, head of Jesus is Lord Church Worldwide, and author of House Bill 7763 establishing the “Philippines-Israel Friendship Day”.
Second to the Jews themselves, Bible-believing, full-gospel Christians are perhaps the biggest supporters and defenders of Israel globally. In the Epistle to the Galatians in the New Testament, the apostle Paul declares that Christians are “spiritual Jews”: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.” That promise is everlasting life in the eternal Promised Land through Yeshua (Jesus), born a Jew in Bethlehem and returning to Jerusalem as Messiah and Prince of Peace at the end of the age
Secular mainstream media bias against Israel has been consistent and palpable, often presenting Israel as aggressor and “occupier;” and Palestinians as the displaced, aggrieved and underdog race. But Fox News and Christian media networks TBN and CBN International take the Biblical stand that both Jews and Palestinians are beloved races, for whom Jesus Christ, Savior of the world, gave his life to redeem and reconcile. But the Scriptures do say that Christians are specially called to stand with Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
“Our support for Israel is unequivocal and above any condition,” remarks Peter Kairuz, host of The 700 Club Asia and EVP of the Christian Broadcasting Network Asia, at 30 years, the longest-standing Christian multi-media network in the Philippines. “It comes from our obedience to the Word of God. Whether there’s peace in the Middle East or war, it doesn’t change what God said to Abraham (patriarch of the Jewish race and nation) in Genesis 12:3– “I will make you into a great nation… and I will bless those who bless you and whoever curses you I will curse. And all people of the earth will be blest through you.” One tangible way to bless Israel is by standing with her and praying for the peace of Jerusalem and declaring security over her citadels.”
Brother Eddie Villanueva, whose JIL church counts over a million members in 60 countries, exhorts his flock to always “support Israel and pray for peace” in the Promised Land. “Israel has provided our people with jobs, defense equipment and training, economic gains, humanitarian aid, investments, agricultural know-how, visa-free entry and more,” he cites. This includes Israel’s most significant export– the Scriptures and Christ’s gospel of salvation which transformed him from a fire-breathing Communist-Atheist-Activist to a passionate evangelist burning with Holy Spirit fire.
World boxing champion and former Senator Manny Pacquiao has been to Israel four times, named his youngest son Israel, recites Scripture blessings in Hebrew from memory and decorates his house with Menorahs, Stars of David and a Mezuzah (Torah verse container) on every door. He acquired his Zionist pro-Israel convictions from Jewish bestselling author and “Behold Israel” host Major Amir Tsarfati, a close friend and occasional guest at Manny’s house.
Manny often shares that his visits to Jerusalem deepened his Christian faith which radically transformed him from a worldly, self-centered fighter who neglected his family, to a faithful husband, model father, philanthropist and lover of Israel.
As storm clouds of war swirl over Israel, the Bible warns that this is just the beginning. The tiny Jewish State, only as small as Palawan, will be the target of Armageddon, the final world conflict. Hatred and persecution of Jews, and even Christians will rise. The worldwide rallies where demonstrators chant– “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is really a call to eliminate the Jewish State which stretches from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.
But the Scriptures reveal that this is not really a fight for territory or racial supremacy. It’s an epic battle for God’s throne in Jerusalem where his Kingdom will come and “His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
There is a counterfeit god, a contender for that throne that has sought to eliminate the Promised Land and Chosen People for millennia. But he will fail and Israel will prevail. It is written in the Book of Jeremiah: “He who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night… the Lord Almighty is his name: “Only if these decrees vanish from my sight,” declares the Lord, “will Israel ever cease to be a nation before me.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36)
