Terrorist Connection
It is widely known that terrorists share a similar psychological profile. One trait they commonly share is a faulty belief system. They not only possess radical religious beliefs, but believe that through tactics of fear they can manipulate the will of their enemies, preventing them from accomplishing their goals. Terrorists believe they are justified in using any means to change society into something agreeable with their own radical beliefs.
Terrorism is defined as a "systematic covert warfare to produce terror for political coercion" (Merriam-Webster). It can also be defined as, "the planned, organized use of fear as a weapon." We often believe that the opposite of love is hate, but as seen in terrorist organizations, hate and fear, although different from each other, are both in opposition to love, mercy and forgiveness. Fear and hate are the tools of the devil. Scripture says, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darknesws who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realm" (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).
God has provided a remedy to terrorism for Christians who are born-again by the Holy Spirit. "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV). We have the love of God in our lives, which empowers us. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment, but he who fears has not been made perfect in love" (1 John 4:18 NKJV).
Charles Manson: The Terrorist
We've heard the demonic purpose for the Manson murders: to kick off a chaotic race war with "Helter Skelter." Manson believed the African Americans would be blamed for these crimes and would rise up against the whites. He believed he would end up ruling society through the African American race, as they would look to him for guidance and answers. This idea seems ridiculous, but Manson believed it, and he was able to convince others to embrace these strange beliefs. He deceived his followers and took captive their thoughts and behavior, by giving them something better to believe in. He could then use them to commit horrible crimes designed to bring a supposed fear, causing a change in society.
Today, Manson is believed by many to be a white supremacist. To the contrary, in the '60s he was anti-white. It has been falsely reported that Charles Manson was driven by his hatred for the Jews. He has been compared to Hitler, having carved a swastika upon his forehead. In reality, Manson hated society in general, who he called 'whitey'. He blamed society for all his failures. His plan had nothing to do with the Jews specifically.
His tactics of fear was a plan to poison the Los Angeles water supply with belladonna plants, which contain strychnine. These poisonous plants grew abundantly in the hills around the city. His "family" was to harvest thousands of these plants, chop them up, boil them to remove their poison and use the poison to pollute the city water system. The city water tanks could be seen in the distance. He spoke of polluting lakes and aquaducts. His plans did not seem foolish or impossible to us.
Manson was consumed with the idea of bringing society to its knees through fear, similar to the way terrorists work today. He wanted to kill and destroy society as he saw it. He wanted to be the god of all mankind, teaching them how to train their children and bring forth a society filled with his concept of love.
Middle Eastern Terrorism
The terrorists in the Middle East are, for the most part children, deceived by their elders. They are either born into, or join a belief system of fear where the infidel, anyone who does not believe as they do, is to be eliminated. They have not experienced God, Who loves all His creation, but rather a false god who hates everyone but them. They grow up isolated, being programmed with anger and hatred for the Jews. They have nothing to live for, with no future. They are without hope, having no expectation of anything good happening except a false promise of a paradise to come. They are promised 70 virgins in paradise if they will lay down their lives for the struggle against the infidel. They are consumed with jealously as they see the Jews living in riches and going on European vacations, while they are not able to even travel outside their neighborhood.
Terrorists accept a system of religious beliefs so strongly that they are willing to die for their cause. Whether Middle Eastern terrorists or the "Manson Family", they take on the anger of their leaders and become willing to lay down their lives. The "Manson Family" was isolated from society, with nothing to live for -- no future, but what Manson promised. They were jealous of the society around them. Charles Manson gave them a promise of paradise, free love and even a tree with "12 various fruits." There is a common theme - the promise of a life in paradise, but in reality the end is death, for themselves and their many victims. It is not a coincidence that terrorist groups throughout the world are very similar in the promises they profess.
A Spiritual Battle
There is a spiritual battle for the minds of mankind going on in the world. "For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). This battle has been raging since the Garden of Eden, where man believed the lies of Satan, leading to sin and death, fear and lust, causing him to hide from God in unbelief.
The stronghold of unbelief, set up in the minds of men and women all over the world, must be judged for what it is -- unrighteousness. "we use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds" (2 Corinthians 10:4 NLT). In these last days, this war between good and evil is coming to a close. Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24 NKJV). We must take God at his Word, receive His promise of loving kindness, and cast down all beliefs that are contrary to the knowledge of the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The battle is between the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of God. The prince of the power of the air, the adversary, the oppressor, the thief, the accuser of the brethren, the deceiver, the destroyer, the tempter, the defamer and the father of lies is the devil, the chief terrorist. He rules with fear. He is anti-christ, who has always been an enemy not only to the Christian and Jews, but to all mankind. This terrorist war against the will of God has been going on since Lucifer rebelled against God in heaven (Isaiah 14; Ezekiel 28).
Before the foundation of the world, our Heavenly Father planned to deliver us from this present evil world. "Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ, and this gave him great pleasure" (Ephesians 1:4,5 NLT). God saw it all in advance: man's fall into sin, his inability to rescue himself from sin's penalty and his need for divine help to be saved.
Regardless of wars past or the wars to come, Jesus Christ comes forth as the final authority of righteousness and judgment. The first time He came to the Earth, He grew up a "...child, and strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon him" (Luke 2:40). He was God in the flesh, man's substitute on the cross, who took upon Himself the penalty for the sins of all mankind, even for the terrorist. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NLT). He was buried and rose from the dead to provide resurrection life to a lost and dying world.
The Plan For Victory
The Lord's plan is to take this crooked and perverse world and straighten it out with the righteousness of His Son. From the beginning of time, He set in motion His plan to harvest the world by planting a seed. Through the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, He would redeem the world from sin, and the Spirit would bring life because of Christ's righteousness. We share in Christ's inheritance because He is the promised seed Who comes to live through the Holy Spirit in those who believe. His plan demands repentance, that is to have a change of heart by turning from the sin of unbelief towards God, for His righteousness to reign in our lives.
In Israel, young Islamic terrorists are convinced to leave their homes with bombs strapped on their body. Their beliefs create a terrorist stronghold. Several of these terrorists have
had a change of heart before carrying out their wicked deeds. While on the way to carry out a suicide bombing in a restaurant or on a bus, they awake to a new reality of Israeli children eating, drinking and living a better life, which sparks hope of a better life for them too.
We also have a stronghold in our minds to do what is evil and ungodly because of Adam's sin, which passed upon all mankind (Romans 5:12-17). We need a change of heart, by admitting to God our sin of unbelief. Many times I wished I had changed my mind on the way to destroying my victims, but my heart was set to prove myself to man, without regards to human life, not even my own. What if for a moment my eyes were opened to the humanity of those I was about to destroy? How much better it would have been if I had seen that there was a better way for me and had turned away, choosing life instead.
Maybe your mind is set towards destruction? Do you need a change of heart? Is there a better life for you? One does not have to be a terrorist or a murderer to need a change of heart. Maybe you are about to destroy your family with a divorce, or murder a child through an abortion? Everyone who has not received Christ is on the road to destruction in some way. The Lord has a wonderful plan and new direction for all of us. The first time he came to take your judgment on the cross, but the second time he comes, if you have not received Jesus and His gift of righteousness, you will have to take your own judgment. The next time he will not be coming to save, but to judge the entire world.
The Prophet Jeremiah says, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the right man glory in his riches; But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD" (9:23,24 KJV).
Time To Overcome Terrorism
It is time for all mankind everywhere to repent of their delusional mind set, whatever it is. God promises a life with Him forever in heaven, but we must trust the finished work of Christ on the cross. Won't you receive him today? He is speaking to you right now, saying, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 NLT).
You can accept Jesus now by praying in faith: "Lord Jesus, I need you in my life, I believe that You are the Son of God, that you died on the cross for me and rose from the dead. Please forgive me my sins and create a clean heart in me. Renew my spirit so that I can hear Your voice. I accept You as my Savior! You are my Lord! You are my Righteousness!"
Now begin to thank God for His plan for your life. As you come to know your God and His Son Jesus Christ, righteousness, peace and joy will arise in your heart. There is power in knowing that you are right with God, as all your past comes under the blood of Christ. We can now rejoice in knowing that Jesus was manifest to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). Today is the best day of your life. Live it to the fullest by placing Jesus first throughout your day. He is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6).