THE HERMIT OF ANTIPOLO
CONFLICTS IN THE WORLD AND IN FAITH
(the three monotheistic religions)
January 10, 2024
Towards the latter part of 2023, war erupted in Gaza and Israel, and the Vatican issued Fiducia Supplicans. These are two significant and existential events that have rocked the world and the Church.
From the eyes of faith and not just the socio-political or socio-economic points of view, and looking at the current situation through an eschatological prism, I find the conflicts among the three monotheistic religions (Christianity, Judaism, Islam) converging in the present war in Gaza and Israel.
The three main protagonists are the Jews, the Palestinians who are Muslim, and the West, represented by the USA and countries of Europe,[1] which are Christian. Most Muslim nations, as do most nations of the UN,[2] sympathize with Palestinians, whom many see as the object of genocide by Israel. Jews themselves had been subject to genocide by the Nazis under Hitler.
The three monotheistic religions
Christians look to the Triune God, Jews to Yahweh, and Muslims to Allah. All look to God, but have a different concept of God. Muslims look on Christians and Jews as unbelievers (in who they consider to be God) but are regarded as people of the Book. Jews do not recognize Jesus as God and are still waiting for the Messiah. Christians started with Jews who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, who then spread the faith throughout the world. Today, out of a world population of about 8 billion, there are 2.38 billion Christians (as of 2020), 1.9 billion Muslims, and 15.7 million Jews (as of 2023). To Muslims and Jews, Jesus is a revered prophet.
All three trace their roots to Abraham. Abraham (previously named Abram), when he was 86 years old, had his son Ishmael by his Egyptian maidservant Hagar, and then, when he was 100 years old, had his son Isaac with his wife Sarah. Christians trace their lineage through the chosen people Israel, with Jesus born of Mary through the line of Abraham and David. God promised Abraham that He would make of Ishmael a great nation,[3] but it is with Isaac that God promised an everlasting covenant.[4]
As children, Ishmael and Isaac got along well.[5] But Sarah demanded of Abraham that he banish Hagar and Ishmael, which he reluctantly did. God told Abraham not to be distressed, as He reiterated His promise to make a nation of Ishmael also.[6] Indeed, “God was with the boy as he grew up.”[7] After God had put Abraham to the test, that of sacrificing Isaac as a burnt offering, He reiterated His covenant promise, and that the nations of the earth would find blessing through his descendants.[8]
Today, Muslims and Christians make up over half of the population of the world.[9]
The situation of faith in the world
Christianity is the one true faith, the one that started with Jesus himself. Catholicism is the one true religion, with the Church founded on Peter by Jesus himself, though I would count the Orthodox as part of that one true religion. But Christianity itself is split, among Catholics,[10] Orthodox, Protestants and various sects.
For the Catholic Church, as early as 451 AD, there was the schism of the Orthodox Oriental churches (Syriac). But the significant split occurred in 1054, when East and West split. It was Constantinople versus Rome, Orthodox versus Catholics. Then there was the Protestant Reformation in 1517. Protestants themselves have split and re-split, with Anglicanism in 1535, Lutheranism in 1555, Pentecostalism in 1901, and its over 40,000 sects and denominations today.
Now the Catholic Church under Pope Francis has “split”[11] basically into liberals (including progressives and modernists) and conservatives (including orthodox and traditionalists). This split has been simmering for years, even from Vatican II and the years before, but has now exploded in the open with the issuance of Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican document on blessing irregular unions including same-sex couples, on December 18, 2023.[12] Very many bishops and bishops conferences have openly opposed it, in effect opposing the Pope. This is unprecedented.
It is significant to note that there have been a number of visionaries and Marian apparitions that have pointed to a severe crisis in the Catholic Church, including at the top, during these times right now.[13] Our Lady of Akita (Japan) said that the work of the devil will infiltrate into the Church in such a way that one will see Cardinals opposing Cardinals, and bishops against other bishops. Our Lady of La Salette predicted a future apostasy of Rome and Rome as the seat of the antichrist. Pope Leo XIII, who composed the prayer to St Michael the Archangel, which we often pray, had a vision of a deeply demonic infiltration settling upon Rome. Fr Gabriele Amorth, for a long time the chief exorcist of the Vatican, said the third secret of Fatima (the parts unsealed) was about such infiltration of the Vatican by Satan and the rise of a false church in the end times.
Many Catholics are no longer truly living the fullness of their faith and have largely become nominal, lapsed, secular, on cafeteria-mode, or non-practicing.[14] This is particularly true of Europe, where Catholicism once flourished, with Catholic nations such as Spain, France,[15] Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, etc., bringing the faith to the world. Fortunately, the faith is flourishing in Africa and the Global South.[16]
Judaism is the religion of the Jews, the chosen people of God. Israel has no official state religion. Religious affiliation of Israelis as of 2022 is 73.6% Jewish, 18.1% Muslim,[17] 1.9% Christian, 1.6% Druze, with the remaining 4.8% as other faiths and the nones.
The state of Israel is highly secular, with 45% of Israeli Jews self-identifying as such. Then there are 33% as masorti (traditional), 12% as dati (religious including Zionist), and 10% as haredi (ultra-orthodox). Of the masorti and dati, many are also secularized. 20% of Israeli Jews declare themselves non-religious. Only the ultra-orthodox are characterized by strict adherence to orthodox beliefs and practices.
Jews and Christians believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. But for Christians, with the coming of Jesus, that belief evolved into believing in the Triune God (Father, Son and Spirit). The traditional Jewish belief is that the Messiah has not yet come and the Messianic Age is not yet present. So both Jews and Muslims believe in one God, while Christians believe in one God but with three Persons. This is a stumbling block to both Jews and Muslims.
Israel is the biblical Holy Land, looked to by Jews, Christians and Muslims. In Jerusalem are their holiest sites—the Temple Mount including the Dome of the Rock, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Jewish people are the chosen people of God, with whom He entered into an everlasting covenant. God blessed them tremendously, but also punished them when they turned away from Him. Their kingdom collapsed, with only Judah (and Benjamin) remaining in the land,[18] with the other 10 tribes disappearing,[19] having been exiled by the King of Assyria in 721 BC.[20] In 1947, Jews from all over the world came back to the land[21] and in 1948 the state of Israel was established.[22] Today this state is very secular, with LGBT rights considered the most developed in the Middle East.[23] Might Israel suffer devastation once again,[24] before it is finally restored at the end of time?[25]
Islam is the religion of Muslims. The word “Islam” means “submission” or “surrender,” as in faithful surrender to the will of Allah. They believe that there is only one God, and Muhammad is his prophet. They reject Jesus as God but consider him a respected prophet, known as Isa. “Islam” also means “peace.” This signifies that one can achieve real peace of body and of mind only through submission and obedience to Allah.
There are seven different sects in Islam, namely, Sunni, Shia, Whabbi, Salafi, Berelvi, Sufi and Deobandi. The main branches are Sunni and Shia (also known as Shiites), with Sunnis making up 85% of all Muslims,[26] and Shiites making up 10-13%.[27] Sunni Islam looks to Abu Bakr as successor to Muhammad, as appointed by senior Muslims, while Shia Islam looks to Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, as the rightful successor, as designated by Muhammad. It is said that Sunnis and Shiites hate each other more then they hate infidels such as Christians.
Most Muslims appear to be more religious than most Christians and Jews. They constantly invoke Allah, even those who commit terrorist acts.[28] On the other hand, very many Christians have become secular and have adapted to a post-Christian world culture. Few strive to live out a truly Christian life. Jews in turn live in a very secularized society.[29]
The war in Gaza and Israel
There are and there have been through time immemorial many conflicts and wars throughout the whole world. There have been two World Wars. Today we face the possibility of a third World War, triggered by the war in Gaza and Israel. Jesus has said that one sign of his coming and the end of the age would be wars, when nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.[30]
Most Muslim nations sympathize with the Palestinians, and are seething with rage against Israel for what is happening in Gaza today. Since 1947, when the UN recommended the partition of Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, there have been bloody conflict between the two sides. Israel established itself as a state in 1948. Since then there have been various military conflicts—in 1948-1949 (invasion by Arab armies), 1956 (the Suez War), 1967 (the Six-Day War), 1973 (the Yom Kippur war), 1982 (the Lebanon war) and 2006 (the Israel-Hezbollah War).
There are Muslim nations that are allied with the US, host US troops,[31] and have diplomatic and economic relations with Israel, which are now threatened. A number of nations have severed ties with Israel or taken diplomatic action against Israel.[32]
Today the Gaza war is raging. It was triggered by an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, from Gaza, where 1,200 in Israel were killed, including non-Israelis, and over 200 taken captive and brought to Gaza. Israel retaliated, and since October 7 the Israel Defense Force (IDF) has killed over 23,000 Palestinians, including women and over 10,000 children, with over 60,000 injured, in Gaza.[33] The IDF has bombed Gaza relentlessly, including residences, hospitals, schools, mosques, and practically leveled much of Gaza.[34] The lDF has also driven out and displaced Palestinians from their homes, intending to drive them totally out of Gaza. A human catastrophe has developed, where there is hunger and looming disease. Civilians in Gaza do not have access to clean water, sanitation, electricity, telecommunications and medical services,[35] all essential for survival. The IDF has consistently restricted the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza. There are also about 7,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, including some women and children, with many detained indefinitely without charges.
The Houthis of Yemen have joined the fight, shooting missiles and drones at ships connected or doing business with Israel, that are passing through the Red Sea, particularly through the Bab al-Mandab strait. The militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon has an ongoing border exchange of fire with Israel, which conflict can quickly escalate. Turkey under President Erdogan has threatened to enter the war against Israel. On the other side, there is the USA and various European nations[36] supporting Israel with munitions and naval task forces.
The present conflict can easily escalate into a regional war, which then could escalate into a world war, if it draws in the West and NATO for Israel, and Iran, Russia and China against Israel.[37]
What now?
The world is in crisis. The Church is in crisis.
The evil one is having a heyday. There are deep divides among the three monotheistic religions, both within and with each other, and there is great potential for a world war, to be fought with nuclear weapons. Is the end of the world at hand?
Normally, it is faith and religions that would provide for stable societies. But faith is on decline across the board. The Christian faith, which flourished through the centuries, brought its Judeo-Christian values, which permeated and guided civilizations. In the Middle Ages it was the Christian nations of Europe. In the current age, it was the USA, which remained as the only superpower after World War II. America spread its values and culture throughout the world. But today there is a cultural war raging in North America, and with current governments in the US and Canada, what are being spread are cultural and spiritual errors. With such diabolical aspects as gender ideology,[38] the culture of DEATH,[39] and wokeism.[40] In the US, traditional institutions are in disarray, such as those of education, health, sports,[41] public policy, the military, state security agencies,[42] and even religious groups. What are being promoted are nihilism,[43] materialism and relativism.[44]
For us Christians, especially Catholics, we would look to Rome, to the Pope and the Vatican. The whole world also looks to the Pope for guidance and wisdom even for secular matters. But today our Pope is a modernist who teaches heresy, the Vatican hierarchy is dominated by liberals and progressives, and Rome has been deeply infiltrated by the evil one. What predominates among many clerics are modernist ideas of naturalism,[45] rationalism,[46] evolutionism[47] and relativism. Our Church, under the Pope, is no longer leading people along the path of righteousness, but is adapting to the culture of the age, which is very much anti-Christian. We now have the church of man rather than the authentic Church of God. In a stark demonic reversal, God is being turned into the image and likeness of man. Catholics, and the rest of the world, are being misguided and led astray, away from authentic faith. Many Catholics have fallen away.
Is there hope?
What are we to do?
It is urgent to pray for peace in Jerusalem, in Israel and Palestine. This is where Jesus walked and lived. But indeed Jesus said he came for division[48] and the sword[49] and not for peace.[50] But he is the Prince of Peace. Though messianic peace will only happen at the end of time, we pray for more peace in the world than we have now.
Pray that the Israeli assault on Gaza and parts of the West Bank cease. Pray for the suffering Palestinians. Pray that prisoners on both sides will be released. Pray that grieving people on both sides are consoled. Pray that the occupation by Israel of Palestine will end, and that a solution can be found where both Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.
On an ongoing basis, let us do the following:
First, we must realize that our faith is in Jesus, who is Savior and Lord. And Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Institutions around us, including the Church, can collapse, but the Lord stands forever. We must never lost faith and trust in Jesus.
Second, we must educate ourselves as to what is happening in the world and in the Church. Many today are like those whom Jesus talked about, who were eating and drinking and were about the ordinary affairs of life when suddenly the end came. They were totally unprepared. In getting to know what is happening, do not rely on mainstream media,[51] especially Western media, as these have become channels of misinformation and outright lies, dominated by the elites of the world. Know who are those who still speak the truth. I offer you some guidance in my website <thehermitofantipolo.com> in the section on “Call to War - Allies in the War.” Aside from the list I give, there are many others.
Another important guideline in proper discernment of truth is looking at protagonists from the lens of faith, family and life. If they are pro-God, pro-family, pro-life, they are the good guys. If they are anti-God, anti-family, anti-life, they are the bad guys. This of course is a general rule, as there are good and bad guys on both sides of the fence. But this guideline can help cut through the confusion and disinformation and dissonant voices in society and the world today.
Third, we must pray. Do we still truly pray? Fervently? Without ceasing? Prayer is our communication with God, and the way we can tap on to God’s wisdom and be led by the Spirit of Jesus. Do not just be caught up in what the world has to offer, including social media and secular entertainment.
Fourth, we must read and study the Bible, which is the very word of God. The basic way we counter false or erroneous teaching in the Church is by our own knowledge of the scriptures, of what Jesus and the apostles actually taught. It is unfortunate that many bishops and priests today have actually fallen away from authentic faith, but they are no longer reliable in teaching the basic truths of the gospel. On the contrary, they are leading us to perdition.
Fifth, we must be serious in partaking of the sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Never miss Sunday Mass. Be fervent in your participating in the Eucharistic sacrifice. If you are able to go to daily Mass, do so. Then there is regular confession. Also make use of what God provides, such as holy hours, Eucharistic adoration and recollections in your parish. Most especially, pray the Rosary. Daily. Give due reverence to our Mother Mary, who is co-Redemptrix with her Son Jesus.
Sixth, belong to a Catholic community or faith group (such as pro-life groups or works with the poor) and be faithful to its life and activities. We need others of like mind who can support us in our Christian walk. Unfortunately many families no longer provide this. Authentic faith communities are also our protection in the midst of heresy and modernism in the Church.
Seventh, be about the work of evangelization. This is the very mission of our Church.[52] We are to proclaim the gospel of salvation in Jesus. What is of utmost importance is not physical or material well-being (these are important too) but salvation. The world and many in the Church are now just about the physical and emotional well-being of man, without adequate reference to the eternal destiny of their souls. That is a tragic mistake. What the world has to offer is for this life only, while what is of importance is eternal life. We are just pilgrims in the world.
Is the world coming to an end? For authentic Christians, it should not really matter. Our posture is the same—to know Christ, to live Christ and to share Christ. If the world goes on, we must be authentic Christians who can somehow make a difference in the world, to make a positive contribution to what really matters, to promote what is good and right and just. If the world is at an end, then we must be prepared. We must help prepare our loved ones, and as many as we are able to influence.
Jesus says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” And we say, “Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!”[53]
Salve Regina.
“For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
‘May those who love you prosper!
May peace be within your ramparts,
prosperity within your towers.’
For the sake of my brothers and friends I say,
‘Peace be with you.’
For the sake of the house of the Lord, our God,
I pray for your good.”
(Psalm 122:6-9)
***
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[1] The Western powers of the US and Europe are considered protagonists, as they provide the munitions, diplomatic support, military security and funds (up to US$3.3 billion in military financing) that sustain Israel’s war efforts.
[2] The 193-member General Assembly of the UN overwhelmingly approved on December 12, 2023, a resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, by a vote of 153-10, with 23 abstentions. The US in the UN Security Council has continuously vetoed resolutions calling for a cessation of hostilities.
[3] Genesis 17:20.
[4] Genesis 17:19,21.
[5] Genesis 21:9.
[6] Genesis 21:12-13,18.
[7] Genesis 21:20.
[8] Genesis 22:17-18.
[9] The two other big populations of the world as of mid-2023 are India, with 1.4286 billion, and China, with 1.4257 billion. Most Indians, about 94%, are Hindus, making Hinduism the third largest religion. China under the Communist Party is officially atheist, though the government recognizes five religions (zongjiao): Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, Protestantism and Taoism. Aside from these five, there are Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, and folk religions.
[10] There are other churches within the Catholic Church that are in union with Peter. These are the Eastern Catholic Churches. There are 23 churches, such as the Maronite, Syro-Malabar, Chaldean, Melkite Greek, Armenian, etc. They number about 18 million members. In the Catholic Church there are six liturgical rites: Latin, Alexandrian, Armenian, Byzantine, East Syriac and West Syriac.
[11] Not a schism.
[12] Much has been said about Fiducia Supplicans, by bishops and other eminent persons, both for and against. I have made my own statement. Please read it on my website (thehermitofantipolo.com), under “Articles” then “In Defense of Faith, Family and Life,” then “Quo Vadis, Pope Francis?”
[13] Check out “Quo Vadis, Pope Francis? (A Critique of Pope Francis)” issued by me last December 7, 2020. You can see this and other papers on my website <thehermitofantipolo.com>.
[14] Much of the blame for this sorry state can be laid at the feet of the Church hierarchy, which has failed to properly guide and instruct the flock. In fact, the modernists in the hierarchy have been teaching heresies.
[15] France was considered “the first-born daughter of the Church.”
[16] According to UNCTAD, the Global South broadly comprises those countries that are located in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia (excluding Israel, Japan and South Korea), and Oceania (excluding Australia and New Zealand). Global North implies the developed economies, while Global South implies the underdeveloped economies, using four broad indicators: politics, technology, wealth and demography.
[17] These are Palestinian citizens of Israel.
[18] With some Levites, who were not one of the 12 tribes that had been given territory by God. The Levites had a special calling to perform ordinances under the law of Moses, and thus had the Lord as their inheritance and so received no land inheritance. See Numbers 1:47-54.
[19] These 10 tribes are referred to as “the lost tribes of Israel.”
[20] 2 Kings 17:6.
[21] The British controlled Palestine until 1947. Palestine was among former Ottoman territories placed under UK administration by the League of Nations in 1922.
[22] In 2015, President Reuven Rivlin of Israel spoke of four Israeli tribes—secular, religious-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox and Arab.
[23] Israel is considered a haven for the gay community, with Tel Aviv as one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world.
[24] Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God with sulphur fire from heaven because of the sin of what is now called sodomy.
[25] For more on Israel and what is happening today, read my book “Holy Warriors (A Call to War).“ It includes a section on “The place of Israel” (pages 194-200).
[26] Including Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Yemen (2/3 Sunni & 1/3 Shia), Lebanon (52% Sunni & 48% Shia).
[27] Including Iran, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Iraq (2/3 Shia & 1/3 Sunni).
[28] They shout “Allahu Akbar” (meaning “God is most great”) before detonating their suicide vests. Of course Muslims also say this phrase reverently when they pray and as a general declaration of faith or thanksgiving.
[29] “Secular” describes that which is not sacred or not of the Church. “Secularized” refers to human activity and knowledge that come under the control of scientific rather than religious understanding.
[30] Matthew 24:6-7a.
[31] In at least 12 Muslim-majority countries. These are Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Iraq, Syria, Bahrain, Oman, Djibouti, Niger, Kosovo. A US base was also in Afghanistan, until the Americans were driven out by the Taliban in August of 2021, after having been there for 20 years.
[32] Including Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Belize, Bolivia, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Honduras, South Africa.
[33] In addition, about 400 Palestinians have been killed and more than 12,000 injured by the IDF and Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
[34] Many in the West are only getting news from Western mainstream media and Israeli sources, both of which do not show what is actually happening, and are instruments of propaganda. I suggest that people should watch Al Jazeera, which gives daily news with graphic scenes of the murder and mayhem that is really happening in Gaza and parts of the West Bank. Granted that Al Jazeera is owned by Qatar, but Qatar has been an effective broker between Israel and Hamas. Qatar is also a strategic US ally and hosts a US airbase, with a large military presence, the largest in the region.
[35] The World Health Organization (WHO) says the healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.
[36] Such as the UK, Germany, France.
[37] This is also about socio-economic and socio-political domination, with the West, particularly the USA, clinging on to its unipolar world dominance, versus the other nations, particularly the emerging BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) which is working for a multipolar world. BRICS will soon include 10 other countries, and many more are applying for membership. It is the Global North versus the Global South.
[38] What is particularly worse today is transgender ideology. This is utterly demonic.
[39] DEATH is an acronym for Divorce, Euthanasia, Abortion, Total population control, and Homosexual relationships.
[40] The term “woke” used to mean being alert to racial prejudice and discrimination. Today the term refers to awareness of social inequalities such as racial injustice, sexism, and denial of LGBT rights., but has been weaponized by liberals and the left to assault and destroy long-standing culture and institutions. For greater understanding, read my book “Females Are Fabulous—the Threequel (Where Have All the Women Gone?).” You can download this as a free e-book from my website <thehermitofantipolo.com>.
[41] Transgender “women” (that is, biological men) have invaded and dominated women’s sports.
[42] Agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have been weaponized by the Democrat administration, and are terrorizing ordinary citizens who do not toe the liberal and leftist line. They are after “domestic terrorists,” to which they have included devout Catholics, pro-lifers, parents opposed to woke ideologies in schools, and Trump supporters.
[43] Nihilism is the rejection of all religious and moral principles, in the belief that life is meaningless.
[44] Relativism is the doctrine that knowledge, truth and morality exist in relation to culture, society or historical context, and thus are not absolute but are changeable.
[45] Naturalism is the idea that only natural laws and forces operate in the universe. Thus all knowledge of the universe falls within the pale of scientific investigation.
[46] Rationalism is the belief or theory that opinions and actions should be based on reason and knowledge rather than on religious belief or emotional response.
[47] Evolutionism denotes the theory of evolution. It is the belief that organisms deliberately improve themselves through progressive inherited change. It is the notion that basic life forms increase in complexity over time due to environmental adaptation.
[48] Luke 12:51.
[49] Matthew 10:34.
[50] Jesus did come to bring peace, as he told his disciples after his resurrection, “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19-21). But his message is a purifying fire, and acceptance or rejection will result in conflict, even within families.
[51] Even official Vatican media do not report on the very many anomalies happening in the Church and in particular in Rome. You will be shocked by some of these, such as sex orgies among clerics in Vatican properties.
[52] Despite Pope Francis debasing proselytism, which actually just means making disciples, which is the very mission Jesus himself has given us (Matthew 28:19-20a).
[53] Revelation 22:20b.
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