Adolf Hitler: "Leave the hair-splitting to others. Whether it's the Old Testament or the New, or simply the sayings of Jesus, it's all the same old Jewish swindle. It will not make us free. A German church, a German Christianity is a distortion. One is either a German or a Christian. You cannot be both."
(from 'Hitler Speaks: A series of Political Conversations with Adolf Hitler on His Real Aims' by Herman Rausching, 1st edition, 1939)
There is brutal persecution of Jews and Christian today embracing the Hitler philosophy to the letter. He lumped Jews and Christians together as 'the same old Jewish swindle.' His agenda is at the heart of Islamic terrorism.
"First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people' was published in 2010 by prolific author and writer Lela Gilbert. It quickly appeared as graffiti in Arabicon walls throughout the Middle East.The intent behind those words is clear.
First Jews (the Saturday people) and then Christians (the Sunday people) were to be targeted as victims of jihad (holy war)
As I witness the unspeakably obscene crimes inflicted around the world I am reminded of John chapter 10, verse 10 "The Devil comes to steal, kill, maim and destroy but Jesus came give life and that life abundantly.' 'Kill, maim and destroy' sums up, the events of today.
The Bible speaks about the situation.
Saturday People
"Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain,
from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. and He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth." (Isaiah chapter 11 verses 11-12)
'The banished ones of Israel' are on the move. The Jewish Agency reports 31,000 Jews immigrated to Israel in 2015, a 17 percent increase from 2014. The forecast for 2016 is more than 33,000 people, 20,000 from France alone.
The Community Security Trust, which advises Britain's estimated 260,000 Jews on security matters, said 924 anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 2015, including 86 violent assaults.
Lori Palatnik is the founder of the Jewish Women's Renaissance Project in the U.S. In a video released this year she spoke about 'the end of days.' She said, she asked 'a very great rabbi' when is it time for Jews to move to Israel.
"He said, 'When they start killing Jews in the streets, that's when it's time to get out.' Unfortunately that's what's going on now. France. New York. People are being assaulted and even killed simply because they're Jews," she said. "I hope this is not too apocalyptic to you but history is unfolding before our eyes and we can't turn away," she concludes.
Thousands of Jews are taking the current signs of the times very seriously.
The Sunday people
The crimes against Christians by jihadists have been numerous and brutal. The Bible speaks directly about strong religious resistance.
1 John chapter 3 verse 13 "Do not be surprised brothers, that the world hates you."
Psalm 23; 4 "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff they comfort me." See also Hebrews chapter 12 verse 3; Mark chapter 13 verse 13.
The Christian aid group Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has published a new "Prayer Map" highlighting countries where Christians face violent persecution at the hands of Islamic extremists around the globe.
The Christian persecution watchdog group Open Doors, releasing its annual list of countries where Christians face the greatest persecution, has found that 2015 was the worst year in modern history in this regard. Before that, 2014 had held that distinction. More than 7,000 Christians were killed for their faith between 1 Nov 2014, and 31 Oct 2015.
Are we living in the end-times? Every generation has heard similar speculation offered 'prophetically.' In 1918 dispensationalist prophecy teacher Clarence Larkin declared 'we are living in 'Perilous Times.' Adolph Hitler was the antichrist of his day. When Israel obtained statehood in 1948 that sparked more end-time energy.
Author Michael Brown wrote an article 'Are We Living in the last Days?" In it he quotes his colleague Dr. Josh Brown: "I don't know if this is the last generation, but it's our last generation."
There is enough evidence to gain our attention. Consider words of wisdom Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica.
1 Thessalonians 5: 1-6
"Friends, we do not need to write to you about the dates and times when these things will happen. You know very well about how the day of the Lord's return will happen. That day will surprise people very much, as when someone comes to rob people at night.
"At that time, people will say, 'We are safe and there is no trouble for us.' But then, when they are not ready for it, a lot of trouble and pain will happen to them. That trouble will happen to them like the pains of a woman who is giving birth to a baby. And it will be impossible for anyone to get free from that trouble.
"But you people, who are like brothers and sisters to us, you know about these things. So, you are not like people who live in the dark. And so the day when the Lord returns should not surprise you. That day will not surprise you as when someone comes to rob people. All of you are people who are the Lord's people.
"So, you belong to the light and to the day. We are not people who belong to the night or to the dark. So, we should not be like other people. We should not be like people who are sleeping. Instead, we should be like people who continue to be awake. We should think clearly about what is happening."
Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)
Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html