Shaking, Realignment and Spiritual Warfare
by YONI KOSKI SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

In recent years we have seen dramatic shifts in relations with Israel on the part of various nations, world bodies and groups, both positive and negative. The table below summarises some of these shifts. Old alliances are in some cases cracking, or even falling apart. Meanwhile, new alliances are being formed.
Satan’s desire is to turn whole nations, regions, bodies and movements against Israel, not so much because the Jews or Israel are important to him, but rather because he knows that when Yeshua returns to Jerusalem his time will be up. Satan believes that if Israel can be annihilated, then he can prevent Yeshua’s return.
Yeshua taught in Mark 3:24-27:
24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.
God’s desire is to divide and destroy alliances which are built up against his Kingdom purposes. Some of these alliances appear impenetrable, as if they will stand forever. It is our job to have faith that that is not the case and that in God change is surely possible and that ultimately his Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven.
Many anti-Israel alliances are highly interconnected, often to the point of being confusing. Someone may be a friend at one level, but an enemy at another – things are not always black and white. The enemy of my enemy is not always a friend. Similarly, the friend of a friend may actually be an enemy.
We are not seeking to destroy people, but rather patterns of shared sinful thinking and resulting actions. Therefore, we firmly disagree with people who do not yet understand God’s ways, but with honour and respect, as well as with the understanding that we ourselves may be wrong in some areas. Paul tells us (Ephesians 6:12):
Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
When we engage the enemy, there will be a response. He will not simply sit down and submit, but will fight back through hidden and deceptive ways, or by overt attack. Being prepared is part of the battle, putting on the “armour of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17) is, of course, an essential and indispensable reality, or we will be hurt.
We need to pray and act against “every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Corinthians 10:5), by proclaiming the Lordship of Yeshua over all things.
Prayer alone without righteous action is super-spiritual, failing to engage on matters of justice and allowing Satan to enter the picture from below; action without prayer is sub-spiritual, over-estimating the ability of people and allowing Satan to enter from above. By praying and acting together, we unite under the banner of God and have power to bring down the Kingdom of Satan.
Just one example of where we might pray and act is in relation to the Black Lives Matters movement. There is much that is good and right in the movement as it acts against historic and current wrongs against people of colour; but there are also anti-family and communist/atheistic tendencies in the movement which are incompatible with Scripture, as well as some gross misrepresentations and wrong positions concerning Israel. It would be tragic if the movement becomes subverted by anti-Israel factions, perhaps even to the point of allying itself with terrorist organisations, and so spoiling its good objectives. We need to thank God for the movement’s positive achievements and pray in love for the leadership and direction. Where there is error, we also need to positively present an alternative and better way, both in person and on social media.
Shakings and Realignments - Alignment with Israel, often tentative - Opposition to Israel, often radical
United Arab Emirates - Peace treaty and normalisation of relations with Israel (2020)
Turkey - Increasing anti-Israel rhetoric from Turkey’s leader
Other Arab nations - Some Arab nations considering following UAE
Iran - Continual threats to annihilate Israel, increasing actual attacks on Israel via proxies
Egypt and Jordan- Peace agreement with Israel (1979, 1994 respectively), although not full normalisation of relations
Other Muslim nations - Many anti-Israel or radically anti-Israel
United States and Guatemala -Moved embassies to Jerusalem (2018)
Islamic terrorist organisations - Threats and attacks on Jews and Israel
Brazil, Honduras, Hungary, Moldova, Romania - Considering moving their embassy to Jerusalem
United Nations - Almost more resolutions condemning tiny Israel than the whole of the rest of the world combined
Armenia, Uganda, Rwanda - Promised to move their embassy to Jerusalem
Black Lives Matters - False accusations of Israeli ‘genocide’ against Palestinians and of ‘Apartheid regime’ etc
United Kingdom - Balfour declaration (1917). First post-Brexit trade deal was with Israel (signed 2019)
Far Right - Increasing anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist activity, including violence
Almost 10 million strong ‘United with Israel’ movement - Communication, support and advocacy for Israel
Left and Far Left - Increasing anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist activity, including violence
Media - Reporting of pro-Jewish and Israeli perspectives
Media - Often entrenched anti-Israel bias and sometimes policy
General Christian population - Loves Israel as the main platform for Biblical history
General Christian population- Often under-informed regarding Biblical covenants and prophetic future of Israel
Many emerging economies: Africa, Latin America, Asia - Seeking relationship with Israel and access to technology
European Union - Bans Israeli goods produced in the West Bank; seeks to dominate Israeli Palestine policy; EU funds have been used for terrorism
Strongly Bible believing Christians - Perhaps Israel’s only true and reliable friend
Boycott, Divest and Sanction (BDS) movement - Various protests against Israel