Iranian outpouring

Massive revival of Christianity is good news for Israel

As the darkness deepens around the world, especially in the Middle East, the light of Christ is shining ever brighter. But, with all the opposition against them, it must be tempting for Israelis to feel greatly perplexed.

Yet the psalmist assures us: “Do not fret because of those who are evil… for like the grass they will wither… A little while, and the wicked will be no more… but the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.” (Psalm 37:1f, 10f)

Concerns abound

Amid rumours that Donald Trump is about to announce recognition of a Palestinian State (albeit without Hamas), here in the UK we are hearing reports of a recruiting campaign for Islam within the National Health Service. And even Conservative MPs and peers are making previously unheard-of calls for recognition of ‘Palestine’. Though this is hardly surprising, as one of the biggest scandals of modern times has been the grossly misleading narrative – through media, parliament and elsewhere – of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

One of the biggest scandals of modern times has been the grossly misleading narrative ... of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Restored to their ancient land through internationally recognised treaties, not to mention God’s law – their ultimate title deed – Israelis are constantly subjected to a host of lies and propaganda accusing them of stealing what is their own property.

Ongoing revival

Yet there is profoundly good news for those who have eyes to see the bigger picture. For the strict Islamic state of Iran, whose rulers want to wipe out the Jewish people, just as Hitler did, and who are chief sponsors of monstrous terrorist groups like Hamas, continues to be the focus of a Christian revival where some two million people have discovered that Jesus, the Jew, is the Saviour of the world.

The Bible Society, which operates around the globe, reports that more than 2,000 Iranians are turning to Jesus every single day!

One 92-year-old believer, whenever she’s on a bus, pulls out a small book and asks her neighbour to help her read the tiny font. In fact, she is secretly getting strangers to read the gospels. Every time she does it, the person sitting next to her ends up taking a New Testament home. This is brave work in a land where leaving Islam is potentially punishable by death.

A growing heart for reconciliation

But the Iranian revival is good news not only for the people of Iran, but also for Israel – and the Jews! For these dear people have been taught by their government and mullahs that Israel is their archenemy. But now that they have opened their lives to Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, they find they are also growing to love the Jewish people, longing and praying for a restoration of the peace that the two nations once enjoyed.

As the mosques shut down in great numbers, passionate Christians are filling the vacuum.

As the mosques shut down in great numbers, passionate Christians are filling the vacuum, though of necessity staying ‘underground’ for now, out of sight of the religious police.

Regime weakening

The Islamic foundations are crumbling for the chief sponsors of terrorism, a fact graphically prophesied by the psalmist thousands of years ago when he wrote of them: “ ‘Come,’ they say, ‘let us destroy them as a nation, so that Israel’s name is remembered no more. With one mind they plot together, forming an alliance against you.’” (Psalm 83:4f)

Among the enemies named are ‘Ishmaelites’ and people from Philistia (Gaza) and Tyre (Lebanon), with Assyria (covering parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey) joining them. Does this ring any bells?

Yet the psalmist (Asaph) is not vindictive. He calls on the Lord to bring shame on them so that they will know “that you alone are the Most High over all the earth”. And we are hearing that many in the Muslim/Arab world, even in the strictest of regimes, are indeed discovering the truth of Yeshua.

Spiritual warfare

In the UK too, where Jews feel increasingly threatened and pro-Palestinian marchers are allowed to call for Israel’s demise on the streets of our cities, there is a revival of Christianity, which gives us hope.

For the spread of the Kingdom came up against great spiritual opposition – but the demons had to submit.

After conducting a thorough survey, the Bible Society reports a remarkable fourfold increase in young men aged 18-24 attending church over the last six years.
It’s important that we see the big picture of the unfolding spiritual warfare taking place. After Jesus sent out the 72 disciples to spread the gospel (as recorded in Luke 10:19,21), He told them that He had given them authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy. For the spread of the Kingdom came up against great spiritual opposition – but the demons had to submit.

And Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit because God had hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to ‘babes’.

For it is not the proud and arrogant who will inherit the earth, but the meek and humble. And the latter will also be granted a clear-sighted vision of what is really happening amidst the turmoil of these terrible times – which are surely preparing the way for our Lord Yeshua’s return.