Five years after the 9-11 Twin Towers bombing and six years after the Terrorist War (Intifada) outbreak against Israel, we still see a tremendous onslaught of propaganda from Islamic extremism on the one hand, and liberal humanism on the other. Unfortunately many evangelical Christians and Messianic Jews have been influenced by these lies, often without being aware of it.

The liberal media and international politicians continue to make excuses for terrorism and Jihad, allowing it to grow and grow.

Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

Moral equivalency means making evil deeds the same as good deeds by noting similar characteristics between the people who do them. For instance, police and criminals are the same because they both have guns. Despite propaganda and moral equivalency, good is still good, and bad is still bad. Terrorism is wrong; fighting terrorism is right. Sexual perversion is wrong; marital fidelity is right. Financial corruption is wrong; integrity and generosity is right.

The Bible defines the standards of right and wrong. The same God who spoke, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3) also divided the light from the darkness (Genesis 1:4). In the same way, we need to speak out. We need to speak light and truth where there are darkness and lies. We also need to divide good and evil, separate light and darkness. That demands making moral decisions.

Isaiah 58:1, 40:9
Cry aloud, spare not; lift up your voice like a trumpet. Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, lift up your voice with strength.

We often blow the shofar as a prophetic gesture. However, more important than the shofar blast is to lift our voice.  We may feel overwhelmed at all the lying media reports, the twisted logic of the terrorists, the manipulation of the politicians. However, the prophet encourages us not to give up. We must teach, write letters, use the internet, and talk to coworkers and friends. Our words will have an influence.

We are also called to share the gospel. Although we live in a pantheistic world of confused values, it is only the message of the Bible which can provide truth. Yeshua (Jesus) is the light of the world (John 8:14). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). In addition, the Bible also speaks of the restoration of Israel. Despite world opinion, the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland after 2,000 years of exile is a good thing; anti-Semitism, or anti-Zionism, is evil.

Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. Nations will come to your light.

Think how pertinent this passage is to us today. It describes a dreadful scene of spiritual darkness all over the world. Yet at the same time, there is hope. Despite the situation, the prophecy is optimistic. The passage speaks of a group of people whose "light" will change and influence the entire world which is covered in spiritual darkness.

The passage can be interpreted as "the true Church," or as "the nation of Israel," or as "the remnant of believers in Israel in the end times." Any way you interpret it, I intend to be part of that group of people. You can be part of this group as well – and now!

Last night my wife and I went out for a prayer walk. Our apartment sits on a hill overlooking Jerusalem. The city spread out before us, lit up with its evening lights. I thought of Yeshua's words: "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden" (Matthew 5:14).  Again this can be interpreted on several levels, and applies to all of us. This night as I looked at the city lights of Jerusalem set on a hill, I prayed for the day that this city would be so filled with true believers, a righteous government, and a glorious "church" that the world would be influenced by it for good and not for evil, for light and not for darkness. I am convinced that day is at hand.