Combating Antisemitism and the Christian’s Responsibility, Part 2 of 3 | October 18, 2025

Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for the Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. With me is our host and teacher, Chris Katulka.

Chris Katulka: Steve, today we are continuing our series on the Christian's responsibility to combat antisemitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, and in fact, we have been looking at Isaiah 62. Last week, we looked at what it means to not be silent, to not remain quiet for Jerusalem and Zion, as Isaiah says. Today we're going to talk about what it means to be a watchman, as Isaiah talks about, a watchman for the people and the state of Israel.

Steve Conover: We look forward to that. But first in the news, a story that we've been waiting to give to you for a very long time as we've prayed these last two years for the hostages. President Donald Trump recently traveled to Israel on his way to Sharm El-Sheik in Egypt to meet with leading countries over his 20-point peace plan between Israel and Hamas. Trump was welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s politicians in the Knesset with standing ovations. Trump was present in Israel as all the living hostages were released by Hamas in Gaza. This is a time for great celebration!

Chris Katulka: Well, Steve, here's my take. There is jubilation in Israel for the release of the remaining 20 hostages after two years of war. But what happens next with Hamas remains a question among Israelis. Will they step down from power or will they defiantly refuse to abide by the 20-point peace plan? And how will the country's meeting in Egypt influence Hamas to leave? Well, we're going to have to wait and see, but for today, we rejoice in the Lord.

Chris Katulka: A few months ago, Tiauna Lodewyk, a Friends of Israel representative in Ontario, Canada, was invited by a Jewish organization to Israel. She, along with several other Jewish young adults, were scheduled to depart Canada when the 12-Day War broke out last June when Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles into Israel. Expecting the trip to be canceled, Tiauna was surprised to find out that the tour was still on, but not in Israel. They changed the trip to fly to Italy where these young adults would learn about Jewish history going back to the earliest times in Rome. Tiauna and the team learned so much, mostly about the horrible treatment of the Jewish people by the church throughout Italy's history. But what struck her the most was the level of Jewish hatred and disgust toward Israel all throughout Italy’s cities. Government buildings flew Palestinian flags, anti-Israel graffiti covered walls, and even Jewish hatred could be seen and heard.

There was so much of it, the Jewish friends Tiauna traveled with couldn't help but laugh at the hate. But it wasn't a comedic laugh they let out, it was a wounded laugh, full of pain and confusion. Tiauna didn't sit by watching her Jewish friends suffer. She guarded their dignity with a ray of hope that could only come from the heart of a Christian who loves the Jewish people. The brave Canadian Christian, Tiauna, would see hate-filled graffiti targeting the Jewish people and she would cover it with one of our Friends of Israel's stickers that say, “I love Israel.” When she would see pro-Palestinian stickers on stop signs and lampposts, she would cover them with her Friends of Israel stickers that say, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:6) or “God bless Israel.” The Jewish young adults’ wounded laughs turned into laughs of joy knowing Tiauna, their friend—a Christian, was keeping and watching and guarding them with her actions. To do a simple act like cover hate with love.

Because remember, God loves Israel. Well, last week we started a series on Isaiah 62 when the prophet Isaiah says, “For Jerusalem's sake, I will not be silent. For Zion's sake, I will not remain quiet.” A clarion call from the prophet Isaiah for us today to speak up against such hatred and to not be silent. This week I want to turn to Isaiah 62:6-9, where the prophet writes, “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen. All the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest and give him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes it the praise of the earth.” Now listen, in the history of the ancient Near East, a city's security was dependent upon the vigilance of its watchmen. From high towers they scanned the horizon for approaching enemies or messengers, blowing the trumpet to rouse the people to action.

Their eyes never closed. Their alertness meant life or death for the city. When Isaiah records that God himself has set watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem, he reveals something remarkable. These watchmen are not merely military sentinels but spiritual guardians appointed by God. Their task is to stand between heaven and earth, interceding, proclaiming and defending until Jerusalem's restoration is complete. The Hebrew word for watchmen is shomrim, which derives from the root meaning to guard or to keep, observe or even preserve. It carries the idea of careful attention and faithful stewardship. God's watchmen are those who care deeply for his purposes concerning Israel. They are alert to her needs, responsive to threats and unwavering in hope for her full redemption. They don't sleep through the night of history, they stay awake, praying and proclaiming until dawn breaks upon Zion, as the prophet said earlier in Isaiah 62. Though Isaiah's original audience was Israel, the prophetic vision expands to include all who love the God of Israel and share his heart for Zion.

In Christ, Gentile believers have been grafted into the rich root of the covenant promises which can be found in Romans 11:17. So Christians today share a sacred responsibility—to stand as watchmen who honor God's irrevocable covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and who anticipate the day when all Israel will be saved, as the apostle Paul says, in Romans chapter 11. See, this calling isn't optional. The same God who appoints watchmen on Jerusalem's walls still calls his people to watch and pray. The church's role is not to replace Israel but to watch over her with love, prayer and defense. Guarding the truth of God's Word against distortion and upholding his faithfulness against disbelief. Now in a world quick to rewrite history or vilify Israel and deny her divine calling, believers must stand in the gap as watchmen who both protect and proclaim.

One of the watchman's first duties is to guard the truth of God's covenant. From Genesis chapter 12 onward, the Lord's promise to Abraham formed the foundation of Israel's existence: land, descendants, and blessing. These promises were unconditional, rooted not in Israel's performance, but in God's faithfulness. Through centuries of dispersion and persecution, those promises have never expired. The modern return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland stands as a living testimony to the reliability of our God, to the faithfulness of our God. Yet in many theological circles today, those promises are questioned and even reinterpreted. As I mentioned last week, replacement theology or supersessionism claims that the church has supplanted Israel and inherited her blessings while her national identity fades into irrelevance. Such thinking distorts Scripture and undermines God's integrity. If his everlasting covenant with Israel could be revoked, what assurance remains for the church regarding salvation?

The watchman's role includes guarding biblical truth. We stand on the wall declaring that God's covenants are sure, his gifts and calling are irrevocable, as the apostle Paul says in Romans 11. The same God who scattered Israel into judgment has also promised to regather her in mercy. He will complete what he began and to deny that is to question the covenant keeper himself. Watchmen aren't just theologians, they are defenders against lies that endanger Israel's peace and reputation. From Pharaoh's propaganda in Exodus 1 to modern media's distortion, anti-Jewish narratives have long sought to justify hostility toward God's Chosen People. Lies are spiritual weapons aimed at eroding moral clarity and stirring hatred. The devil, who we also call the accuser, thrives on such deception. See, Christians who understand God's heart must counter these falsehoods with love and truth. And to remain silent while Israel is defamed is to neglect our post on the wall.

Like the watchman of Isaiah 62, we must never be silent. We must speak up in defense of Israel's right to exist, to live in security and to be recognized as the people through whom God revealed his Word and the Messiah Jesus to the world. See, this defense doesn't mean endorsing every policy or action of the Israeli government. Look, even Israelis differ on how the government should be managed. They're a democracy. But see, rather it means standing against the spiritual campaign that denies Israel's legitimacy and seeks her destruction. Anti-Israelism, often a thin veil for antisemitism, must be confronted with biblical conviction and moral courage. The watchmen cannot look away when Israel's enemies are at Jerusalem's gates. Now listen, when we return, we're going to continue our conversation on being a watchman for Israel and the Jewish people, and I'll even share with you how you can get those same stickers Tiauna used to bring joy to the hearts of the Jewish people she journeyed to Italy with and to push back against Jewish hatred. So stick around.

Steve Conover: You know Chris, I was recently rereading Elwood McQuaid's book, It is No Dream, and I was reminded once again of why it's one of my all-time favorite books.

Chris Katulka: I couldn't agree more, Steve. Dr. McQuaid, he may be with the Lord now, but his voice still speaks so clearly through this book.

Steve Conover: It's true. If anyone wants a biblical understanding of God's plan for the Jewish people, this is a must read. He does an excellent job of weaving in the modern history of Israel, and I can't say enough good things about it.

Chris Katulka: Well, his biblical insight and his deep love for Israel and really his connection with Jewish leaders, it comes through on every single page.

Steve Conover: And the newest version is even better than when I first read it because it not only includes maps and photos, but it's expanded since the first release.

Chris Katulka: Steve, It Is No Dream isn't just a good read, it's a reminder of God's promises and his faithfulness through the ages.

Steve Conover: Don't miss out on this timeless book, It Is No Dream. You'll come back to it again and again. Get your copy today at foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Welcome back everyone. We're in Isaiah 62 where the prophet is compelling us to be watchmen for Israel and the Jewish people. Now listen, for Isaiah, watchmen are not just defenders and teachers, they are intercessors. What do I mean by that? See God in Isaiah 62 commands them, he says this to the watchmen, “You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest and give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem.” See, this is one of scripture's most striking calls to persistent prayer. The Almighty invites his people to remind him continually of his own promises. The image is daring. Human beings pleading with God not to stop working until he fulfills what he has pledged. Prayer for Israel then is not sentimental or optional, as I mentioned earlier, it's obedience to a divine summons. Psalm 122:6 echoes this command, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May they prosper who love you." To pray for Jerusalem's peace is to align our hearts with God's redemptive plan because ultimate peace will come only when the Prince of peace reigns from David's throne in Jerusalem. 

The phrase, “Give Him no rest,” that's a capital H. “Give Him no rest.” God—give God no rest, reveals the intensity of this intercession, this prayer. True watchmen do not offer casual prayers once a year. They persevere. They pray through the night of history, trusting that the morning of Messiah's kingdom will come. And like Daniel who prayed three times a day facing Jerusalem, while even in exile, they plead for God's mercy and covenant faithfulness to shine upon his people. Such prayer is an act of spiritual vigilance, never passive, always engaging. In the unseen realm, intercession and prayer for Israel pushes back against spiritual warfare. The adversary hates what God loves and he knows that Israel's restoration will culminate in his own defeat. You just have to read Revelation chapter 12, which portrays a dragon pursuing the woman who gave birth to the Messiah, Jesus.

A vivid symbol of Satan's century long assault on the Jewish people. Each pogrom, expulsion, an act of terror, bears the mark of this dark rage. Watchmen respond not with carnal weapons, but with prayer rooted in God's Word. Every time believers pray for Israel's peace, they strike a blow against spiritual darkness. Every proclamation of God's faithfulness exposes the devil's lies. Every act of compassion toward the Jewish people pushes back against the tide of hatred. Prayer is not passive empathy, it's participation in God's warfare for truth. And friends, maybe you're wondering, I'll pray, but what else can I do? How can I make a difference? Well, as I mentioned last week, you can start small but powerfully. Remember I mentioned Tiauna in the previous segment of the program and her ministry with just simple things like stickers that support Israel and the Jewish people. Well, guess what?

We want to give you the same stickers Tiauna carried with her to Italy. The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry wants to send you 50 free stickers that declare your support for Israel and the Jewish people. Stickers? you might be asking. Well, yes, because sometimes it's the smallest things that make the loudest statements. Stick them on your cell phone, on your water bottle, your Bible, the back of your car, your hard hat, wherever people can see them. Each one is a simple visible way to say, “For Zion's sake, I will not be silent.” Let those stickers testify to the fact that you want to be a watchman on the wall for Jerusalem and Zion, reminding others and yourself to stand with God's Chosen People. Now it's really simple, if you just go to our website, foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. You can sign up and there you'll get your 50 free stickers from the Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Listen, God appoints watchmen, not because he needs reminders, but because he delights in partnership with those who love him. He invites his people to join in sharing his work of redemption. To share his burden for Israel. To pray history forward toward its destined goal. The watchman's cry, “give him no rest,” is not arrogance but faith. It is the cry of those who know God's heart so well, know God's word so well, that they plead for what he already intends to do. Now in a world that's weary of conflict and cynicism, the call to watch remains urgent. Israel's security, both physical and spiritual, still hangs in the balance of a global struggle between truth and deception, light and darkness. But the outcome is assured—God will establish Jerusalem. He will make her a “praise in the earth" and until that day, let every believer take up his post on the wall. Eyes fixed on the horizon, lips filled with prayer, hearts steadfast in hope. Where the true watchman knows that vigilance is not a burden, but an honor. To stand guard over the promises of God, to defend his Chosen People and to await the appearance of Jesus the Messiah—these are the privileges of those who love the Lord of Israel. Their cry joins the ancient prophets and our apostles in one resounding declaration, “For Zion's sake, I will not keep silent and for Jerusalem's sake, I will not be quiet until her righteousness goes forth as brightness and her salvation as a burning torch.”

Steve Conover: Israel on the verge of becoming a state, a teenaged holocaust survivor arrives on her shores alone. His name is Zvi Kalisher. Little did he know his search for a new life in the Holy Land would lead him to the Messiah. Zvi, enthusiastic to share his faith, engaged others in spiritual conversations, many of which can be found in our magazine, Israel My Glory. While Zvi is now in the presence of his Savior, his collected writings from well over 50 years of ministry continue to encourage believers worldwide. Now Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life of Zvi.

Mike Kellogg: Here in Israel, believers experience much discrimination. We are reminded of what the Lord endured when He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

My children do very well in school. Two of them were chosen, because of their scholastic achievements, to travel as part of a group to Europe. Their teacher promised them they would be able to go and told them to prepare for the trip.

But today when I returned home, I noticed something was wrong. They were unhappy.

“What has happened?” I asked them.

“Father, we were told we could not go to Europe,” one said.

I knew this was discrimination, but I was not surprised. I received the news calmly and said to my children, “Maybe this is God’s will. Be strong in spirit and pray.

I went to the school to inquire about the so-called “justice for all.” I went to the office and spoke to the director.

“Before you tell me, I know why you have come. It all depended on luck. This time they cannot go, and I am sorry.”

“Do not tell me you are sorry, but you do not know divine justice, and you will not until you know the Lord. Then all of this discrimination will change. What has been done against my children is because people have no faith. Without faith, man can do nothing. Where is your conscience? I know why you did this––you know we have put our trust in the Lord. Your ‘justice’ is full of hypocrisy.”

“No,” he said, “We are very objective.”

“Is this a display of your objectivity? The Lord Jesus suffered a great deal and was even killed, and He forgave them. Do you think because I am a believer I will not forgive you?”

He asked with surprise, “You are a believer?”

“Yes. You knew about me. I am positive that because I am a believer you have done this to my children. I want you to know we are not ashamed of our faith in the Lord. You can be sure that forever we will be believers in the Lord. Even when great troubles came our way, we

remained in Israel, our country.”

After I finished speaking he asked, “What can I do for you?”

“For me, nothing. What you can do is for yourself, for your children, and for the pupils in your school. As the director, you can follow the truth which is in the Lord. Do not be a hypocrite and let your mind change like the wind. Be strong in faith, and the Lord will show you what to do, how to give education and equality of rights to the children with no discrimination.”

He said to me, “I am ashamed. I promise you what is passed belongs in the past. It will not happen again in the future.”

He was interested in knowing how I came to the Lord. I was delighted to give him my testimony. No one had ever before told this man about the Lord. This was, for me, more important than all the trips to Europe.

Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for today's episode of The Friends of Israel Today. Don't forget to get your copy of It Is No Dream by Elwood McQuaid at foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org. Chris, where are we headed next week?

Chris Katulka: Yeah, next week we're actually going to conclude our three-part series on Isaiah chapter 62. We've already looked at what it means to not stay quiet, to not remain silent for Jerusalem and Zion. What it means to be a watchman on the walls for Jerusalem and the Jewish people. And next week we're going to see why we do all of this. What's the hope that we have in anticipating why we stand up for Israel and the Jewish people biblically? And also don't forget to get those stickers that support Israel and the Jewish people by going to foiradio.org

Steve Conover: And I'll mention it once more. You can connect with us at foiradio.org. Again, that's foiadio.org. Our mailing address is FOI Radio, PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again that’s FOI Radio, PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. You can call our listener line. That number is 888-343-6940. Again that’s 888-343-6940. Today's program was engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Lisa Small is our executive producer. Sarah Fern is our associate producer. The late Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold. Our host and teacher is Chris Katulka, and I’m Steve Conover, executive director of The Friends of Israel. The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.