Letter: People fail to grasp that Israel’s fight is our fight - if the only genuine democracy in the Middle East goes down, nowhere is safe

In spite of the media, I have no doubt the overwhelming majority of British people support Israel in its war against terrorism – the problem is few are willing to go public and express it.

Not for the first time Christians and churches are also mute. They don’t seem to understand that if Israel, the only genuine democracy in the Middle East, goes down it will destabilise the whole region, and the shocks will travel worldwide. Nowhere will be safe.

They are coming for Jewish women and children to-day, how long before they come for ours?

Israel’s fight is our fight, but many in the West don’t grasp that.

Some hide behind their limited knowledge of theology. They’re selective, and it warps their thinking.

Others think too much, and it confuses them. They are a danger to themselves and others.

We need to be careful when we interpret scripture – if we get it wrong it becomes another cult.

God has not abandoned His ancient people, they still have a role to play in these end times, and we should stand with them.

All that’s needed for evil to triumph is good people, with good intentions, who have no vision.

Interpreting scripture comes with a health warning. A little knowledge is dangerous, too much clogs the brain. We need to be careful to strike the right balance.

It’s not theologians we need to-day, it’s prophets, men who can discern the signs of the times, and courage to deliver the message. We don’t have them, thus the confusion.

Anyone who has studied the history of the Jews over the last two thousand years and their miraculous return to the land of promise, must see God’s hand in it. Those who don’t are limited, and false prophets.

Those who believe God is finished with Israel and take a casual, almost indifferent, approach, need to be aware they could be adding fuel to the flames, that could swell the ranks of anti-semitism.

It reminds me of the silence of the Church in Germany in the 1930s and 40s. It’s frightening but those days are returning.

Will believers, Jew and Gentile, fleeing from the whips of Pharaoh, cross the Jordan and enter the Promised Land together?

Is it possible the conflict in the Middle East could shift our focus to the plight of God’s ancient people?

Will that fire that led them through the wilderness burn in our hearts and lead us back to the land of Promise?

The Church is failing and needs a fresh start – many won’t make it.

Clive Maxwell, Bleary