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                                               Who’s Praying for the Arabs? 
                                                              by
                                                         Josprel


In our zeal to experience the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in the Middle East, those Arabs who have been born again, have become the forgotten sector of the body of Christ. Is anyone praying for the Arabs?

There are approximately 175, 000, 000 Arabs dwelling in 21 Arab countries, and we seem unaware that Christ also died for them. Among them are Arabs who already have experienced the new birth; evangelical Christians, suffering hardships along with other dwellers of the powder-keg Middle East. Since these believers are neither Jewish or Moslems, they are viewed with suspicion by both sides in the explosive Arab-Israeli conflict. The hardships engendered by this "caught-in-the-middle" status are intensified by the militant theology disseminated against Arabs by so-called "muscular Christians" - some of them well-known Evangelical fundamentalist Americans. Amazingly, these muscular Christians endeavor to hasten the fulfillment of Middle East Bible prophecy by manipulating events in that area of the world, even at the risk of provoking a full scale "holy war" between Israel and an alliance of Arab nations; a war that would result in a catastrophic loss of life on both sides.

Such results are of no concern to muscular Christians since - in their view - the war is absolutely necessary to the return of Jesus Christ to Jerusalem, and such deaths have been preordained by God. Anything they can do to hasten the pace of prophetical fulfillment is considered by them to be a plus. In actuality, muscular Christians are attempting by human manipulations to force the hand of God through political actions, finances and propaganda.

Among the activities applauded and encouraged by muscular theologians are terrorist activities against Arabs by groups outlawed by the Israeli government. This includes attempts to destroy the Dome of the Rock mosque in Old Jerusalem. They believe that the destruction of the mosque will lead to the rebuilding of the Jewish temple, thus facilitating Christ's return. Though most Christian and Jews who revere the Old Testament prophets, agree that the Dome of the Rock mosque someday will be destroyed and replaced by a Jewish temple, the vast majority of them are nevertheless willing to leave these events to God's discretion. Since God requires no prompting by man to fulfill His Word, they hold that the mosque will be destroyed by an act of God, such as an earthquake, not by an act of terrorism. For those who subscribe to this view, God's time clock does not run slow.

When muscular Christians are warned that their attempts to destroy the Dome of the Rock mosque most likely will trigger a full scale Arab-Israeli war with a horrendous loss of life, their response is a callous, fatalistic one. They reply that it has all been predicted in the God's Word - it is all predetermined by God. They also respond that, since Zechariah 13: 8-9 predicts that Israel will suffer the loss of two thirds of her population in her final conflict, such heavy casualties cannot be avoided; they are the will of God.

Muscular Christians also view the Arabs as expendable, stating that they are the enemies of Israel and, therefore, the enemies of God. With such a calloused exploitation of scriptures, they rationalize their attempts to quicken the pace of prophetical fulfillment.

Arab Christians find themselves in a precarious dilemma. Moslems hear much regarding the views of muscular Christian preachers who broadcast over evangelically built radio and T.V. stations located in the Middle East. These preachers beam anti-Arab messages that equate anti-Arab, Middle East politics with Christianity, charge Arabs with condoning terrorist activities, and support the take-over of Arab lands by Israel. Moslem Arabs consider such propaganda as representative of all Christians. Understandably, the Moslem Arabs react negatively to born-again Arabs and the Western nations. They reject the message of redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ. After all, they reason, how can an Arab be a Christian when Christians hate Arabs?

As we pray for Israel, can we not also pray for the Arabs? As we love the Jews, can we not also love the Arabs? After all, God does; He loves the world. Jesus assured us of this truth when He stated that, "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not parish, but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3: 16-17).

Who’s praying for the Arabs?
                                                           -30-

                                            © Josprel (Joseph Perrello)
                                                   josprel@lverizon.net

Josprel resides with his wife, Maria, in Western New York State. Though brought up by devout parents, he abandoned both the Church and religion at an early age, not returning to them until several years later.  He served three years in the Far East with the U.S. Air Force.  He then was separated from active duty and placed on a ten-year reserve status.  He studied for the ministry under the G.I Bill of Rights, and holds a Master of Theology degree. He currently is authoring two novels, "Beloved Apostate" and "Kanfal."