 Facing Philistine Terrorism In our continuing series, The Things Concerning the Kingdom of God, I'd like to address a subject that is as current as today's newspaper. I've entitled it, "Facing Philistine Terrorism." The Philistines played a major role in Israel's development as a nation and its survival. In point of fact, the coalition of peoples tried to "obliterate Israel from the face of the earth." Does that sound familiar? I think it is important that we remember that the current conflict in the Middle East is really an ancient one that has never been resolved. King Saul and King David had continual threats and bloody battles to fight with this brutal adversary. The Philistines are a type for us as well. They represent the enemy who does not want you and me to exist either. As the Philistine giant, Goliath, taunted and terrorized the Israelite armies, so Satan terrorizes and taunts you and me as we dare to encroach on his territory. He cedes noting without a fight and his tactics are vicious and he spares no one; men, women or children . . . no matter. Does that sound familiar? The gods of the Philistines, especially Dagon, required children to be sacrificed to earn his favor. His temple was also a place where the captured prisoners were tortured and placed on display as horrible things were done to them. Does that sound like an al-Qaeda tape released on the Internet? So how are we to deal with this continual attack of terror and intimidation? Are we to rely on our own armor and consult occult powers as King Saul did? Or are we like David to trust the Lord and rely on Him? Let me give you a clue. Saul and his armor and his severed head ended up nailed to the wall of Dagon's temple. I'm sure it was posted on the Internet. The Star of David, however, is on the flag of the Nation of Israel and flies over the Nation of Israel to this day. We don't have to live in terror. We do, however, have to face a ruthless enemy who Pastor Jim |
