The enmity between Ishmael and Isaac and Esau and Jacob foreshadowed and birthed an age-old
enmity between Israel and the Arab (henceforth short for the Middle Eastern & Moslem) World . The
angel told Hagar that Ishmael would be "a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every
man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren." (Gen.16:12). This
is exactly what happened in Bible days and we still see it happening today! Arabs surround Israel:
from the Gaza strip to Syria; from the Golan Heights to Egypt; and extending to the West bank and
Jordan.

The ill-will between Israel and the Arabs began from the moment Jacob was born with his hand
holding on to his twin brother Esau's heel (Gen. 25:26). He was prophetically called Jacob ("usurper
or supplanter"). From Jacob, whose name was later changed by God to Israel ("Prince with God"),
came the Jewish nation. From Esau came the people of whom Isaac prophesied, "by thy sword shalt
thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion,
that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. (Gen. 27:40).

The Arab nations served Israel for many years, as God led the Israelites victoriously into their
promised possession of the "Holy land". As prophesied, though, the day came when Esau's
descendants broke "his yoke from off" their neck and founded permanent nations in the lands
surrounding Israel. Notice underscored above are two statements: "his hand will be against every
man" and "by thy sword shalt thou live". Arabs & Islamic Terrorists have fulfilled this "every man"
prophecy as virtually every continent has felt the deadly reach of terrorism: places like Bali, Spain,
Baghdad, London & N.Y.

Ishmael and his descendants have also always "persecuted" Isaac and his descendants. In fact, this
struggle between God's chosen people and their Arab enemies became allegorical (Gal. 4:24) of the
struggle between the Living church and the unsaved: "But as then he that was born after the flesh
persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now" (Gal. 4:29). The Arab world
symbolize people "after the flesh". They're Godless and know nothing of the ways of the Spirit.
Walking in the "lusts of the flesh" (1 Jn. 2:16), their propensity for war, death, and the sword to
persecute their perceived enemies is explained in James 4:1: "From whence come wars and fightings
among you? Come they not ... of your lusts that war in your members?" With this in mind, you can
see why the devil chose a descendant of this enemy of Israel to spawn the religion of Islam.A people
who "live by the sword" were perfect to found a religion that taught "submission to Allah, or the
sword".

When hordes of Arabs in earlier centuries vanquished large populations of Jews and Christians, they
called the conquered people who surrendered to their subjugation "dhimmi" and "people of the
book". Because they would not accept Mohammed's writings, they had to pay taxes for the right to
practice their religion. Meanwhile, they were persecuted, humiliated and subjugated as "sharia law"
dominated society. The Arabs controlled God's people by fear! Islam is legalism in the highest form
which uses fear to control.

In Moslem nations, Christians and Jews are usually allowed to quietly practice their religion. But,
it is illegal to proselytize and in some countries it is the death penalty to convert! Christian pastors
are often imprisoned and churches are burned to the ground. No missionaries are allowed in nations
where Islamic law is in place.

In reaction to terrorist acts, Moslems explain, "these terrorists are just extremists. Islam is peaceful!"
But, "wisdom is justified by her children". The "child" of Islam is Terrorism which is rooted in Jihad
or holy war to convert the infidels, including suicide bombings that kill innocents Terrorism is the
spawn of Islamic tradition. Arabs say "there are extremists in every religion". Yes, but Christian extremists run totally cross current to Jesus" teaching of love and humility. Our founder and his followers laid down their lives to convert others. Islamic extremists are simply following in the footsteps of their founder and his followers who used the sword to kill and to convert others.

Islamic terrorists will not write the final chapter! "The people of the book" will in fulfillment of
prophecy! Now Jerusalem is the epicenter of Middle Eastern events. Worldwide concern for war in
Israel and fear of disruption of the flow of Arab oil because of the instability of the area, is nothing
less than Zechariah's promise in 12:2,3: "I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people
round about . . . A burdensome stone for all people".

The world's attention is upon Jerusalem, because these are the last days, and Jesus is about to return
to set up his headquarters there (Zech. 14). Israel, as a nation, is going to turn to Christ (Rom. 11:26).
And, not only them, but in the last days He'll "pour out his spirit on all flesh" (Acts 2:17). Millions
of Moslems who are walking "in the flesh" will have God graciously pour out his spirit on their flesh
also.

Even as the Iron curtain fell nearly overnight, and Russia was opened to the preaching of the
gospel, God is also going to pave the way for God's people in these last days to convert the Islamic
nations. "In that day . . the Egyptians will worship with the Assyrians .. . . In that day shall Israel be
the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the land" (Isa. 19:23, 24). My regular
prayers include praying for the peace of Jerusalem, against terrorism, and for God to raise up young
people in these last days with anointing and wisdom to reach the Islamic World. Join me, please, in
this prayer!