Europe and the Challenge of Terrorism

The road to this menace of terrorism in Europe began many years back and the situation became complicated not for lack of foresight of the founders of these nations but for lack of clear understanding of those who succeeded them, of the purpose of the legacies they left behind. Most of the countries of Europe derive their heritage and culture from Judeo-Christian beliefs. The ancestors and founders of these nations were impacted by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Revival broke out in various parts of the world when the Holy Spirit came down on the apostles of Jesus Christ following the death, resurrection and ascension in to heaven of the Lord Jesus Christ many centuries ago. Christ had earlier promised His disciples who were agitated about His imminent departure to heaven, that He would send the Holy Spirit that would empower and support their Christian faith and witness on this troubled earth. Christ responding to their fear said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Act 1:7-8). The disciples were assembled in Jerusalem in an upper room when the promised Spirit came on them. Since the day of Pentecost, the apostles became bold and spoke the words of God with authority and it was the beginning of the growth of the Church. The apostles were known and hated for their boldness in telling the truth and their words were backed with signs and wonders. Political leaders were opposed to them because people turned their loyalty to God and not to man. “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Act 17:6). Revival resulted in severe Christian persecutions that got the apostles scattered all over the world and further leading to the propagation of the gospel of Jesus Christ outside of Israel.

European nations and Africa were part of the early gentile people that embraced the gospel, and used the truth of the gospel in all spheres of their lives. It worked for Europe as they developed their commerce, economic ventures, political and social lives around their strong belief in Christ. The success of Europe was largely due to their dependency on God for success. Their education system was based on Judeo-Christian tenets. Bible was a major text book for their school, and it transformed men and women to think like God who created them. Though Satan tried to infiltrate their system, the majority were committed to God and righteous living. Western Europe became a sort of bench mark for economic and political development for the rest of the world and it became their envy as well. It had strong economy, military, and good political system which guaranteed change of leadership without rancor based on godly democracy. The early leaders were also mindful of their calling in the Lord to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples from all over the world to the Kingdom of God and of the Lord Jesus. While missionaries from Europe and America went to other parts of the world to evangelize, their nations’ doors were open widely to immigrants with the hope to influence the world to Christianity. In the early days of America, gospel was written boldly in all public places pointing any new entrant into the nation to the life of Jesus Christ. For example, the nation’s currency was boldly inscribed with words evidencing the name of God; “In God we trust”. They were devoted to preaching the gospel both at home and abroad. Every action was aimed at promoting Jesus Christ because it is only in Christ there will be lasting peace in the world.

However, this legacy of Christian love was misunderstood by subsequent leaders who did not know that the policies of open doors was not borne out of ordinary human ideas but from hearts overflowing with the love of God in Jesus Christ. They forgot that as the gospel was being preached, Satan had never rested on the assault to halt the gospel. The effect of the gospel began to be gradually diminished through the deceits and tactics of Satan, when foreigners were being engaged with more for commerce and other worldly interests than for the gospel. The church forgot the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples when He sent them out to preach the gospel. He said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” (Mat 10:16). Damages had been done before they realized that people were exploiting their good heart to create problems for their society. Different people with diverse cultures and other gods came into their societies aimed at destroying the Judeo-Christian foundation and cultural heritage of the founders of Europe and America. As time went by, the strangers sought to impose their gods and lifestyle on the people. The main issue in the world today is a war between darkness (evil) and light. Evil has thrived because Satan has taken over the world disguised in various forms. The same evil that foisted communism on the world has come up with liberalism, socialism, and sometimes progressiveness, but behind the scene, it is still Satan striving against God. The political culture of socialism and liberalism has taken root in the Western societies who had rejected communism in its entirety. The dishonest ideology came with welfare packages which is often used to impoverish the people and retain them in perpetual slavery. The government becomes the provider of all requirements of life, social and commercial, and the leaders become demi- gods demanding total allegiance and loyalty from the people. Those who choose to worship the One true God become enemies of the state and are dealt with directly or indirectly.

The association of anti-God or atheists became strong in Europe and America. The nations have been completely changed and the destruction of the strong Judeo-Christian culture has affected political leadership of the nations. Between 2006 and now, America and most of Europe have been governed by liberals who are opposed to anything that has to do with the name of God. They have redefined the values of these nations to accommodate all forms of unrighteousness. In their gang-up against the church and Israel, the liberals with different agendas have worked together to take over the reins of government. As soon as they got into leadership, they used the apparatus of government to stamp their culture of godlessness on the society. In the United States of America, liberal Judges were appointed who in their perverse hearts ruled against the moral principles that made America great. The name of God came under attack and prayers to God was removed from public places where it was hitherto prominent. It reached the crescendo when Mayors and political leaders demanded upfront for Sunday sermon scripts before it could be preached on church pulpits. President Ronald Reagan had prophetically said, “If we ever forget that we are one nation under God then we will be a nation gone under”. The liberals who have their holds on big media used these powers to their advantage. European nations and America became estranged from their God and have gradually been overpowered by the gods of this world. The situation was made more difficult by dishonest people who operated political, and social-economic ventures in the name of God. Political parties with conservative names are nothing but caricatures of the elements of the world system. Satan uses this to desecrate the name of God. This gave upper hands for those who do not know God to get to position of authority in the nation. The Bible says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan”. (Prov. 29:2)

The early godly leaderships came with strong security and defense intelligence for the nations. The nations were blessed with military men and hardware that were used to defend their peoples against attacks of enemies. Over the years, the strong intelligence of the Western world has been weakened by poor recruitment, particularly of people of different cultures and who are in the nations not to promote the culture of righteousness but their foreign gods. In my book, “Saving America” I warned of the dire consequences of allowing ungodly people to infiltrate the intelligence system of the nation. I predicted it would do harm to America. The book was published in 2012. Today, we are witnesses to acts of betrayal in America’s public services, including the intelligence. In the days of Washington, the loyalty of military, intelligence, and other public services were to the nation and the system. This loyalty has been changed to loyalty to political interests and political gladiators most of who are ungodly. The leaks of government’s confidential information are perpetrated by ungodly people in the services. Some of them are prepared to sell the nation for their personal gains. The issue is not just that they are doing these evils because they do not like Donald Trump’s presidency but they consider their personal and immediate gains more important than the overall interest of the nation. I am sure that some of the leakers do it for financial gain which ungodly press would be ready to pay since their aim is also to destroy. Intelligence is not working properly anymore in Europe because some of the characters in the systems are working for the enemies. This is the problem in underdeveloped nations who have totally lost the security of lives and properties of their people. In the recent past in the United States of America, leaders of intelligence were accused of loyalty to Middle East and Islam than to America and the God of America.

This year, Britain has been attacked by Islamic terrorists more than three times, France has been under several attacks, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, and recently Spain, are no longer safe to travel to. The good people of these countries live in fear, with their social lives completely paralyzed because of the anxiety of terrorist attacks. In the United States of America, president Donald Trump was elected by the people to save them from the imminence of terror attacks. The liberal government had lost control of security because it concerned itself with the politics of the world while the home country suffers. The American military capacity was being diminished while North Korea was busy empowering its nuclear capabilities and Iran was being empowered to wipe Israel out of the Map. No government of the United States had ever fought for the enemies of Israel but the immediate past government of the United States voted against the interest of Israel at the United Nations Security Council in favor of those who terrorize the Jews. That was an invitation for the wrath of God on America. But God brought grace to America with the election of the new president, Donald Trump. He is not a Saint, and he may not appear a polished politician which he never claimed to be, but I still firmly believe that his election is the response of God to the prayers of Americans in this perilous time.

Again, I appeal to Christians in America and Europe to brace up for decisive prayers. The Bible says, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Mat 11:12). The underdeveloped nations of the world are being held down and destroyed by these vices. These evils do not promote the good of society and Europe may be destroyed if the situation is not checked. Those who doubt should remember the world powers of ancient times. Egypt was one of the great powers in the world; but that is no longer their status. If the rebuilding of western civilization is to be done, it will be through the church. There is no alternative to Godly character in nation building. Let the breath of God come into our nation’s governance in Europe. When we reference God, He will not only deliver us, and helps us to defeat the enemy, but He will also restore the glory of the past which has been lost. Leaders who do not know God have no business to be in the government in Europe and America. The experience in America teaches us that if Christians so desire, God will prevail on their behalf to bring about a positive change. If Christians in Europe fold their arms or continue to pursue material things while their nations are being eroded away by acts of terrorism, they may very soon discover they are under the slave labor of sharia. Let those who hear the story of a one-time Christian Turkey nation remember that nothing is impossible.

Michael Jolayemi is an author and Bible teacher. His latest book on persecution of the Church is a good read, “Sheltered through the storm: the travails and ultimate triumph of the Church.” He is also the author of “Saving America: The war we can’t ignore”