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The Rise of the Neo-Maccabees Print E-mail
Written by Victoria Radin   

G-d is seeking Maccabee-type Christians who will stand against the evil invading our communities and our nation. It is recognized by the Jewish people that the victory that was won in the fourth century BCE by the Maccabees was a supernatural victory that freed the people to serve their G-d –– the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Today, we Believers need a supernatural intervention just as did the Maccabees to defeat our enemies and serve our G-d. 

In the fourth century BCE, Alexander the Great conquered the known world. After Alexander died, his kingdom was divided among four generals in his army. For a hundred years, two of the leaders fought with each other. Israel was a land bridge between the two––Syria and Egypt. Finally, the war ended leaving Syria the victor and Israel its possession.

In 175 BCE, Antiochus Epiphanes IV became the ruler of Syria. He wanted to rule the entire world and be worshiped as a G-d. Antiochus issued a decree in Israel that all Jews were to stop worshipping in the Temple and cease practicing their religious laws or face death. In 168 BCE, Antiochus sent his troops to sacrifice a pig on the bronze altar of sacrifice and desecrate the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. He dedicated it to his G-ds.  

Thousands of Jews were slain rather than forsake their beliefs. Those who escaped fled to the hills living the life of fugitives. Out of this arose a militant, patriotic movement that eventually flared into rebellion. Two years after desecrating the Temple, Antiochus sent an official to the town of Modi near Jerusalem to be sure his decrees were being carried out. He ordered an elderly priest, Mattathias, to worship at his altar.  Mattathias killed the king’s emissary and fled with his family to the mountains.

Mattathias and his five sons joined other fugitives and formed a small army that fought against the king’s soldiers.  The family of Mattathias became known as the Maccabees, from the Hebrew word for "hammer," because they were said to strike hammer blows against their enemies. Under the leadership of Mattathias’ son, Judah Maccabee, they battled successfully against Antiochus’ troops and returned to Jerusalem to begin the enormous task of repurifying the Temple and ridding it of the Syrian idols. 

With the rise once again of the Syrians, i.e. ISIS, we are again experiencing the extreme persecution of believers in the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, both Jews and Christians. The goal of ISIS is to intimidate or torture their victims in the most barbaric ways–– all those who will not bow to their god. They even slaughter Muslims from opposing sects.

The plight of ISIS’ victims has been mostly ignored by even the most powerful nations of the world. Due to this fact, Satan has become emboldened to strike out against Christians and ‘non-believers’ in Western Democracies as well. For instance in Europe, Muslims who have been welcomed as immigrants seeking asylum are wreaking havoc on European Society. Using the freedoms allowed there, Muslims demand the ‘right’ to observe their religious laws even if those laws conflict with those of the European Society. Rape and pillage are now rampant in Muslim areas of Europe where Christianity was already in decline and is in danger of being totally eradicated.

In the United States, Satan is using minorities such as atheists, homosexuals, and Muslims to persecute Christians, using the freedoms established in our constitution. It was for this reason that John Adams, one of the founding fathers [who were all Christians], cautioned America in his day.

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

Christians, for the most part, have taken on the attitude of ‘turning the other cheek’ when faced with persecution. But, they have not taken on the responsibility of bringing the Gospel to ‘all the world’ even when the world has been brought to them, such as in America. Instead, they have succumbed to political correctness and allowed America to become a haven for heathens and demons of every sort.

G-d is about to turn the tables on the enemy. He has called on President Donald Trump to boldly proclaim the destruction of ISIS and to once again welcome G-d into the White House. Trump has also declared war on political correctness and will put an end to drug trafficking and the unwelcome intrusion of foreigners and enemies from every nation that seeks our ruin. He can do this only through the prayers of the saints and with the help of G-d. 

While G-d has raised up a bold leader to restore the Constitutional Republic that was established in America, G-d expects the Church, His people, to reach out to the unsaved – atheists, homosexuals, Muslims, and those who worship false gods, as well as those who call themselves Christians without bearing the burden of the Great Commission.

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” (Mark 16:15-18)

Just as the L-rd did for Jeremiah, He will do for Christians. The L-rd told Jeremiah that His word would become a fire in his mouth that would devour (subdue) the people with whom he spoke.

“Therefore thus says the L-rd G-d of hosts: ‘Because you speak this word, behold, I will make My words in your mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.’” (Jeremiah 5:14)

G-d is looking for Neo-Maccabees who will be worthy of bearing the name Christian, who will stand for the truth of G-d’s Word and fight against the incursion of evil creeping into our societies. These warriors will strike hammer blows against their enemies through spiritual warfare and confront the enemy head on without fear with the Word of G-d.

“Is not My word like a fire?” says the L-rd, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)

Just as the Maccabees fled to the hills to form their army, Believers must look to the hills, from whence our help comes.

"I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the L-rd, who made heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)

With our prayers and the Word of G-d in our mouths, we will defeat the enemy. 

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—" (Ephesians 6:10-18)

Kumi Ohr (Arise & Shine)

 

 
 
 
 
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