Conclusion On Terror

Ishmael, Abraham's first son by his concubine Hagar, is described in the New Testament Scriptures as the son "by a bondmaid" (Galatians 4:22), which "was born after the flesh" (Gal 4:23) and "which gendereth to bondage" (Gal 4:24). This was allegorically in comparison to Isaac, Abraham's son by Sarah, the son "by a freewoman" (Gal 4:22), which "was by Promise" (Gal 4:23) and "is free" (Gal 4:26). For this reason Isaac represents to the Christian the "liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free" (Gal 5:1), to walk in loving obedience according to the Law of Love, i.e.,

"Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Gal 5:14), when we truly "walk in the Spirit" (Gal 5:16) in conformity to the New Covenant. On the other hand, Ishmael represents bondage to the flesh to continually be compelled to obey God's Law, but continually fail and sin against God-- as is so common in Professed Christianity of present day Laodicea. "15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I... 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:15, 23-24). What is the solution to Professed Christianity's dilemma of bondage to sinning?

Trust the covenanted Holy Spirit to cause us to walk in Holiness, Faith, Love, and Obedience."28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of Promise. 29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the Scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Gal 5:1) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage" (Galatians 4:28-31; 5:1).

How Providential that the Church Age is ending with this confrontation with the terrorism of Militant Islamic Fundamentalism-- considering that Islam's spiritual lineage proceeded first from Ishmael then through Mohammed. "And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren" (Genesis 16:12). How true that this prophecy concerning Ishmael is still coming to pass in the form of the terrorism of Militant Islamic Fundamentalism! The religion of Islam cannot be ignored. It must be answered with the Truth of the Scriptures, because God has already promised that the offspring of Ishmael will become an exceeding great multitude. "And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation" (Genesis 17:20). That Islamic Fundamentalism does not look to Jesus as the "Way, the Truth, and the Life" (John 14:6), "Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God" (Philippians 2:6), indicates that they, like Pontius Pilate, have not comprehended the most essential form of True Religion-- trusting Jesus for Life and Eternity. "And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto Him whom ye call the King of the Jews?" (Mark 15:12).

But, is not Faith in Christ the very response that Christians ought to give to terrorism? "I [Jesus] am Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, saith the LORD, which Is, and which Was, and which Is To Come, the Almighty" (Revelation 1:8). If we are right with God, what we believe about the Son of God, must see the statements of Scripture come to pass. "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth Him [the Father] that begat loveth Him [the Son] also that is begotten of Him" (1John 5:1). In particular, the True Saints must have victory over the world according to their Faith-- that is the Christian response to terrorism. "4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our Faith.

5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" (1John 5:4-5). Both individuals and nations have the right of self-defence against terrorists. "And they said, LORD, behold, here are two swords. And He [Jesus] said unto them, It is enough" (Luke 22:38). And, the "[individual who represents the higher powers of human government] beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:4). But, focusing merely upon a temporary military response to terrorism, takes away from the more important response that Professed Christians ought to be making to God by repenting and turning again in Faith to the One Who could again make this a Blessed Nation. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom He hath chosen for His own inheritance" (Psalm 33:12).

Only when the Professed People of God turn from the wickedness that God always judges with terror, can they possibly be delivered from the onslaught of terrorism. "If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2Chronicles 7:14). But, if this is what many believe to be the end of God's dealings with the Church-- which is the position of this author-- then our turning again to Faith in the LORD Jesus as Deliverer, may deliver only individuals and not nations. "For the time is come that Judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?" (1Peter 4:17).

Let us, then, hold fast our confidence that the Almighty will always give His Watching and Waiting Saints a way to escape from terrorism. "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). Maranatha!