Injustice in the world is increasing rapidly. This is also evident in the treatment of Israel and those who stand with Israel – hatred directed at Israel quickly turns against them as well. All of this was foretold by the prophets. But there is also hope. Benjamin Philip, a practicing Jew, friend and partner of Christians Standing with Israel (CSI), addresses our readers in an appeal that is both stirring and encouraging.
By Benjamin Philip, Jerusalem
Dear friends,
My name is Benjamin Philip, and I grew up in the Netherlands as the child of Holocaust survivors. During my career as an entrepreneur, I also developed a desire for a deeper meaning in life. This led me to move to Israel, where I dedicated myself to Bible study and became involved with Hineni Jerusalem. Hineni is a non-profit organization based on biblical principles that provides social services, advocating for values such as morality, justice, and peace. Over the years, Hineni has also become a place where Jews and Bible-believing Christians meet and perform acts of charity together.
I would like to share some of my thoughts with you about the world today. A world in which Jews and Bible-believing Christians who support Israel are accused of supporting genocide, ethnic cleansing, child murder, and so on.
It goes so far that discussions about Israel dominate politics, tear apart communities and relationships, fuel conflict at universities, and divide close friendships and family members. Society fails to distinguish between lies and truth, morality and immorality, right and wrong, even when undeniable facts refute the often hateful accusations as baseless. How is it possible that those who support Israel have become an "oppressed" minority in our own societies?
Answers from the Bible
As a practicing Jew, I always try to find the answer in the words of God and in the prophecies of our prophets. They often prophesied that the time until final redemption is comparable to biblical times; they use the image of birth pangs. During these times, God can harden the hearts of nations, as he did with Pharaoh's heart in the time of Moses. In this way, he can again perform his signs among us and reveal himself as the Lord.
At the same time, the nations will be held accountable for everything they have done to the Jewish people. As Psalm 83:4 says: “Come, let us destroy them (Israel) as a nation; let the name of Israel not be remembered!”
Zechariah prophesies in the Book of Zechariah 12:3: “And it shall come to pass in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all peoples; all who bear it shall be crushed, and all nations of the earth shall gather around it.”
The number of prophecies about a conspiracy of nations against Israel is overwhelming. It is obvious that nations are conspiring against Israel today, both within the United Nations and through their support of organizations like Hezbollah and Hamas. This conspiracy against Israel will affect the entire world. For example, the prophet Habakkuk prophesied a world filled with plunder and violence, repeatedly using the word "hamas" (meaning outrage, violence). We should not forget that the word hamas was even used by God himself when he described Noah's world as filled with robbery and immorality—a world so wicked that God decided to destroy it.
The prophet Habakkuk prophesied of violence ("hamas"), strife, and conflict. He foretold a world where justice is paralyzed and righteousness never prevails. A time when the wicked overpower the righteous, so that justice is perverted and iniquity tolerated. He prophesied nations that would not believe, even if told the truth.
And he spoke of a ruthless and impetuous people who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings that are not their own; a feared and cruel people who are their own law and whose only concern is their own honor. They come with the intention of using violence (hamas). They mock kings and rulers. A sinful people whose god is their own strength.
Similarities to our world today
In these prophecies of Habakkuk, we can see many similarities to the world today. For example, with Europe, which is confronted with many Muslims and immigrants who live according to their own laws and beliefs: with the clear goal of Islamizing every place and every people by force ("hamas") and organizing and inspiring protests for "hamas" everywhere. Many governments will cave to the violence of these Muslim immigrants so as not to provoke them and will not oppose the jihad against Israel.
But while our world will be filled with hamas, God will also choose people for a greater calling. Their hearts will not be hardened against Israel like those of the nations. These people will bear witness and resist in support of Israel—but will be rejected by their own societies. They will follow neither the majority opinion of their society nor the teachings of their mainstream churches. As a result, they will become targets for choosing to support Israel; and society will treat them as one with Israel.
Loyalty to God
Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Be aware, however, that these challenging times will also give each of us the opportunity to prove our loyalty to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Remember that God chose Abraham because of his faith, his values, and his moral responsibility—and yet God still put Abraham to the test. God called him. And Abraham responded, “HINENI, here I am, ready to serve!” We should all keep this in mind as we go through difficult times in our relationships with colleagues, church members, friends, and even immediate family members.
Therefore, it is so important to participate in gatherings with fellow Bible-believing believers who make the same decisions and face the same challenges. At Hineni, over the years, we have brought together hundreds of survivors of terrorism who have been able to meet, support, and strengthen one another by sharing their personal experiences and receiving guidance based on biblical teachings. The many Bible-believing Christians who come to Hineni as volunteers also experience a sense of relief when they are here: because at Hineni, they can talk about Israel and God without fear of hateful reactions. On the contrary, during their volunteer work, they meet people who think and feel the same way about their relationship with God and Israel. In this way, they can strengthen and comfort one another.
Contact and exchange with Jews help them discover that Jews and Bible-believing Christians have so much more in common than what divides them. The differences between them are not about who is right or wrong. Rather, it is all part of God's plan: that the Jews continue to live according to the instructions of the Torah in order to preserve themselves as a priestly nation for the coming Messianic age.
Bible-believing Christians, on the other hand, are to become the righteous among the nations, whom God will bring to his mountain and to whom he will give joy in his house of prayer (Isaiah 56:7). Therefore, we must not exalt ourselves above one another, but rather stand together in the knowledge that we will all be tested by God.
Remember that Abraham, too, faced challenges. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were plagued by robbery, immorality, and injustice. Despite this, Abraham pleaded with God to spare these cities, and God agreed on the condition that he would find just ten righteous people. We all know how the story ended, but I firmly believe that Jews and Bible-believing Christians in our time can form a symbolic ten who will find favor in God's eyes. In the hope that he will hasten salvation and limit the suffering of humanity—because together, based on biblical principles and values, we strive for greater morality, justice, and works of mercy to shine a light in times of darkness.
An urgent invitation
There is something else I would like to say: I have met so many Jews and Christians whose lives were transformed after visiting Israel. They were fundamentally changed, their faith and confidence strengthened forever. Therefore, I encourage everyone—and especially the younger generation—to come to Israel to bear witness to the truth. Experience the biblical land, visit the holy sites, walk in the footsteps of our ancestors, and connect with the Jewish people.
Become part of a developing global movement preparing for the time of the Messiah. Be on the right side of history! For the time will come when many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths. For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3)
Why wait? Say here and now: “HINEINI, here I am – ready to go and serve.” We at Hineni would be delighted to welcome you.
Shalom from Jerusalem.
This article first appeared in our newspaper "Israelaktuell," issue 143. You can order the newspaper here . We would also be happy to send you several copies for distribution.
