Antisemitism is on the increase

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God” (Isaiah 40:1).

The first question one has is, who is to comfort whom? Who is “my people”? When reading the entire chapter, we notice a distinct emphasis on two groups of people. One is “my people”; the other, verse 17 proclaims: “All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” That is hard to swallow for nationalists. Your country is not only nothing, but “less than nothing.” 

“Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:2).

We take note that these are the direct words of God, and again, the word “comfort” appears. Why should we Gentiles speak comfortably to Israel, to the Jewish people? Because “she hath received of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” 

Now the question, when did Israel receive double punishment for all her sins? Was it when they were led captive into Babylon and returned to Jerusalem after 70 years? Ezra 9:13 gives us the answer: “…after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this.” Note not “double” but “less.” 

In attempting to clarify the introductory Scripture, we must take into consideration that prophecy has multiple fulfillments. Take Deuteronomy 28:37, for example: “And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.” Verse 66 emphasizes: “And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life.” When were these words fulfilled? Simply stated, beginning with Pharaoh’s intended genocide of the Hebrews over 3,500 years ago, until the most horrendous event the Jewish people ever experienced under the Nazi regime in Europe—the Holocaust, when 6 million Jews were systematically murdered. While that horrible event is the most precisely documented genocide in history, research reveals that there were thousands of different times and places in which Jews were persecuted and killed.

Based on the available documentation, we can say with certainty that Israel indeed has experienced “of the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.” In plain words, God addresses and challenges the people on planet earth to “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people.” 

How does the world react? The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) headlines an article, “More than 2,000 [antisemitic] incidents reported in US since Hamas massacre—a 337% increase.” 

A report from Britain documents a fourteenfold increase in antisemitism since 7 October 2023. 

France recorded 819 antisemitic acts in 2023, compared to 436 in 2022. 

In Germany, a survey found a 240% increase in antisemitic incidents. 

These are just a few examples to show that the world at large is not neutral, but hatred of Jews for no obvious reason is dramatically and frightfully increasing. 

Many statements from the news media reveal that antisemitism is on the increase in countries that have little to no relations with Israel or the Jewish people. 

Thus, we clearly see that antisemitism and anti-Zionism originate with the father of lies. Reading Revelation 12, we understand that the “woman” represents Israel. Verse 5 documents: “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.” That child is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Verse 17 reports: “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” 

The woman, Israel, had been persecuted before they became a nation in Egypt. Therefore, antisemitism originates in the invisible world, by diabolical powers that desperately try to hinder the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. They want to eradicate Israel; they want to destroy the Jewish nation.

But God has different plans; He will cause Zionism to triumph: “O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!” (Isaiah 40:9). No antisemitism or anti-Zionism will hinder the ultimate fulfillment. For the Jewish people, “Behold your God!”

In the meantime, let us continue to pray for the nation of Israel, and target our prayers toward His Church in Israel, in Gaza, and in all other countries of the world, so the fullness of the Gentiles may come in soon: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Romans 11:26).

Midnight Call - 05/2024