ANTI-SEMITISM: THE ESCALATING CONFLICT

Editor’s Note: Pastor Amos wrote this essay in November of 2023 concerning the rise in anti-Semitism. It is a prophetic message written six months before the tsunami of anti-Semitism we now see rocking academia. The BLUE Magazine and Pastor Amos thank the NYPD and officer’s nationwide for quelling unlawful assemblies promoting hate.

On October 7, 2023 Israel was invaded by up to 3,000 terrorists, both trained HAMAS members and civilians that joined in the brutal attacks against soldiers, men, women, children, infants, and the elderly. 1,400 were killed that day; an additional 245 were taken hostage. Overlooked by many, was the fact that among those killed were 58 police officers. Men and women, who with little to no warning, did what cops do, they advanced toward the threat confronting an enemy that was far greater in number and better armed. Men and women of law enforcement, unknown to the world, but being hailed as heroes throughout Israel.

Fifty-eight police officers killed in the line of duty in one day. Let me try to put that into perspective.According to the DOJ’s Bureau of Justice statistics [10/22/23], over 80% of the America’s law enforcement departments have 50 or fewer sworn officers. 67% have fewer than 25 officers. In other words, the 58 law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Israel on 10/7/23 would be the equivalent of entire departments in many US towns and counties.

Since that horrific day, cases of anti-Semitism have exploded around the world. Demonstrations have surfaced in many of America’s major cities reminiscent of the 2020 “Summer of Love” riots that broke out targeting lawenforcement. As the days pass by it seems the protests, and many of the HAMAS sympathizers participating, seem to be getting more confrontational and violent. The riots occurring in Europe are more explosive than those here, at least for now.

The question many ask is why is there such a hatred for the Jews? The hatred isn’t focused on Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli government, or even the Israeli Defense Force [IDF]. No, it is much broader. It includes the residents of Israel, Jew, Arab, and secular. It also encompasses Jews in general, wherever they may live. There are many theories as to why, my own theory is less obvious than most and yet I think it has been hiding in plain sight. I’m talking about a hatred that is spiritual in nature, while physical in its manifestation.

A quick history lesson might help. Abraham of the Old Testament had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. Ishmael would go on to be the Father of what we know today to be the Arab nations on the world, most of which are not at war with Israel and have no desire to join the war against Israel. Abraham’s son Isaac would have twin boys, Esau and Jacob. Esau was born first, entitling him to all the responsibilities and perks of being the first-born son. That was a HUGE deal at the time. The younger Jacob, whose name would be changed by God to Israel, deceived his elderly, nearly blind, Father Isaac into granting him the blessing that rightfully was Esau’s. Upon discovering this, Esau was furious and sought to kill his younger brother. In time, Jacob would plead for his life and Esau would relent, sparing the lives of Jacob and his family, though the seeds of resentment and hatred had taken root.The damage had been done. Esau would have a grandson, named Amalek. Amalek watered and tended to the seeds of resentment and hatred until they became the driving force of his life and that of his descendants, who would grow to hate Jacob’s descendants with a burning demonic hatred. Speaking of Jacob’s descendants, Jacob would have 12 sons, who would become the patriarchs of the 12 tribes of Israel.Do you see what’s happening? A demonic hatred for Israel is taking shape.

Hang in there with me, I am going somewhere with this. Fast forward a few hundred years to the book of Esther in the Old Testament. The villain in that book is a man named Haman, a descendant of Amalek. He is the first person in the Bible that called for the genocide or eradication of the Jewish people; men, women, children, everyone. God, using Esther, would intervene, saving the Jewish people from complete destruction. Haman would be executed for his actions. Haman was from Persia or modern-day Iran. If he were alive today, he would be one of many Mullahs in Iran calling for the, you guessed it, eradication of the Jewish people from Israel and the world.

Which brings us to October 7th and the days and weeks that have followed. This hatred for the Jews or what I call the “Spirit of Amalek” is alive and well. In fact, we are witnessing it sweeping the entire world, as mostly young angry protesters find themselves experiencing a hatred for the Jews that is illogical, not to mention irrational in nature. Ironically, many of America’s left leaning progressive Jews are now finding themselves the targets of those who they thought were their friends and allies as they protested together, arm in arm, against law enforcement just three short years ago.

What they missed then, and the world is missing now, is that a new anti-Semitism is being born, demonic in nature, global in reach, deadly in expression. This is a manifestation of the “Spirit of Amalek” towards the Jewish people, in Israel and beyond. We have seen incidents of Jews being assaulted, murdered, their homes marked with the star of David, their businesses firebombed around the world.

How does this impact you? Realize you have company on the Thin Blue Line; the people of Israel and Jews around the world. It’s no coincidence the Israeli Flag is a blue Star of David on a white background, bracketed by a thin blue line both above and beneath the Star. Ironically, at least in America, some of law enforcement’s greatest critics three years ago are now finding themselves very much in need of those whom they were so critical of. Truly, The Lord moves in mysterious ways.

What must you do? Understand the spiritual nature behind the hatred, anger, and violence. Stand up for Israel and the Jewish Community in your jurisdiction. Realize the actions taken by those under the “Spirit of Amalek” will be irrational. I firmly believe America will experience, both lone wolf attacks and organized, well planned, attacks like Israel experienced on 10/7 and in America on 9/11. The question is not if but when, where, by how many, and what will be the extent of the destruction inflicted.

Having been called by God [Romans 13] you, as a Law Enforcement Officer, will play an important role in keeping “The Spirit of Amalek” in check in your corner of America. I pray that we will all be given eyes to see and ears to hear what both God and the enemy of our souls is up to. I pray for your safety and boldness, as you confront the “Spirit of Amalek”.

Friends, you are, whether it feels like it or not, on the front line of an escalating conflict. Know this, our power, our strength, our ability to win this battle comes from Jesus Christ. If you haven’t considered Jesus as The Savior and Lord of your life, I can’t urge you strongly enough to seriously consider doing so. As for me and my house, we have long ago chosen to bow the knee to Jesus and to stand with Israel! Brothers and Sisters in blue, all of Heaven is watching. What will you do?

Chris Amos is a retired officer and former spokesperson for the Norfolk Virginia Police Department. He is currently the pastor at Chr1st Fellowship Church in Norfolk. He is married for over 30 years and is the proud father of three children, two of whom are police officers. He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Norfolk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.