The ultimate battlefield

Recently, I watched a documentary entitled Obsession: Radical Islam's War Against the West, which showed actual footage of Muslim extremists and their religious leaders using classic propaganda techniques to inflame their followers to hate Westerners, particularly Israelis, Americans and the British.

It was a gripping, gut-wrenching glimpse into the mindset of a large number of people of the Islamic faith. "Death to America!" is their cry. "Kill the Great Satan!", "Death to the Jews" and other hate slogans, reminiscent of the Nazi movement of the 1930s and 1940s in Europe, are being shouted in mass rallies in schools and colleges. These hate mongers are using modern methods to instill an irrational hatred and unfounded fear of Westerners and the Western way of life in young people across the Middle East, and in parts of Europe.

Radical political parties have gained power in Iran, Lebanon and other Muslim nations, and openly use terrorism, intimidation and torture to gain their ends. Children, adolescents and young adults are being taught that it is their religious duty to hate and kill the enemy, which is anyone who does not embrace their brand of radical Islamic dogma, even if it costs them their own lives. One chilling scene in the documentary I referred to is a respected religious teacher telling a large class of children that there is no higher calling than to be killed while fighting "infidels" in jihad, or holy war.

While the well-trained and well-equipped US led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan are using the latest military techniques to fight the insurgents and terrorists, it's not enough to subdue them and to win the victory. Why? Because the battle is really for the hearts and minds of the foe. For, until the concepts of freedom and tolerance are taught and embraced by the these warring peoples, no military victory can be had with-out complete annihilation of those who are convinced that they are right and are willing to die for their cause.

The ultimate battlefield is found in the hearts and minds of men, women and children: for it is there that ideas, attitudes and resolve are formed. For meaningful change to come about, it must begin with a change of heart and mind. Without that change, no real progress can be made and no victory can be won, whatever the cause.

The Eternal God knew this and anciently revealed through the prophet Ezekiel that He would bring about this basic change to accomplish His plan to bring lasting peace and prosperity to Israel first and then to all mankind. In the book of Ezekiel, Chapter 36, beginning in verse 26, the prophet was inspired to write, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

The verses following that passage describe the many benefits that will result from this change of heart. God has promised to do this and He alone has the power to bring it to pass. He will do so on His timetable according to the plan He is working out here below. Until then, the bloodshed and carnage will continue, for the real battlefield has been ignored.

Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This is the message we bring on the Tomorrow's World television program and in all our writings. If you want to know more about this vital, encouraging message of hope for the future, request our booklet "Your Ultimate Destiny." The booklet is totally without charge and can be ordered on line at https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/order-publications/?lit=YUD.

In these troubled times, you need this information.