How do spiritual leaders deal with geopolitical situations and influences?

Each era has its own characteristics, influences and reactions. This has more meaning and impact than ever before. It is clear that we are living in a completely different era. Everything is moving faster and faster, more information is available and the certain positive but also negative influences and results can no longer be denied.

This is because of the Internet, TV and social media. We are confronted and made aware that the principle of “that's there” or “still far away” no longer applies. It is no longer just about my life, my job, my organization or even social developments in this day and age. We can no longer say 'the ball is in another area'! No, “the ball,” and by that, I mean influences and developments beyond my/our scope, is now in my yard (my garden). And by this ball I mean major external factors such as war, pandemic, climate change, economics, food and ethical issues.

It is no longer just about my life, my job, my organization or even social developments in this day and age.

The question is how do I see this and how do I deal with it?

In my column I want to focus on external influences in particular that directly affect the entire world and therefore my life, and I want to zoom in on some of the conflicts in the world. These conflicts have a great impact in the short and medium term.

It is said that leadership is the same as influence. To some extent this is true however this column is also written from the perspective of spiritual leadership. In the natural we perceive things through our senses however in the spiritual world (the non-visible world) much more takes place than we think or perceive. The spiritual first and always influences the natural. And the natural demands a response.

I want to zoom in on some aspects that are in the field of geopolitics. The first part concerns Israel, the second part concerns America and finally Europe/Netherlands.

Israel

I am a Christian and this means I live and believe from God's word! God's word is the Bible says Bible in John 1:1. The Bible consists of 66 books divided into the old and new-testament. In the old-testament a lot is written about the Jews and Israel. The new-testament is about our savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us and our sins. If we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior and ask for forgiveness of our sins, Jesus will do it. This is because on the cross he destroyed our sins. Through his blood we have been restored to our relationship with God and have eternal life. This means that when I die, I return to my Father God and may live forever. In addition, we believe that there is a natural world and a spiritual world.

There is a defeated adversary, the devil and demons and principalities, who have been defeated through the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a result, Jesus has taken back dominion over death and hell. What a powerful premise this is for those who believe. Both worlds require a response from a position of leadership: a natural- and spiritual response.

The new-testament is about our savior, Jesus Christ who died on the cross for us and our sins. If we accept Jesus as our Lord and savior and ask for forgiveness of our sins, Jesus will do it. This is because on the cross he destroyed our sins. Through his blood we have been restored to our relationship with God and have eternal life. This means that when I die, I return to my Father God and may live forever.

First, the natural reaction. If I look at Israel in the natural, Israel as a state was created in 1948. Before 1948 there was World War II and we know that millions of Jews were killed by the Germans. Also today there has been tension in the Middle East such as the Six Day War in 1967. In Israel, there are geographical parts such as Jerusalem, West Bank and Gaza.

Within these areas we find different religions including Christianity and Islam. What we see and experience today through TV, internet and social media, is the increase of anti-Semitism but also the struggle for the territories within Israel. Think of the Israel/Palestine conflict. Or even worse, the attack on Oct. 7, 2023 where barbarically in several kibbutz Israelis were tortured, murdered and raped.

What impact does this have as I indicated beforehand with “the ball in my yard”? From my Christian faith, we stand with Israel and I condemn any attack on Israel. Israel produced the Messiah, Jesus Christ and Jesus plays a very important role in this time (the end times).

From spiritual leadership this all has a huge impact how I live, pray and stand with the Jewish people. Note! I am not against other religions or peoples but from a Biblical perspective and Christian faith I stand with Israel. I pray regularly for the peace of Jerusalem. Bible verse: Psalm 122:6.

In the natural, we see reactions in the Netherlands such as an increase in anti-Semitism, violent demonstrations and distorted facts that the media wants to portray to us. Consider the recent demonstrations and violence within some universities in the Netherlands. It seems that the sentiment in the Netherlands is turning against Israel.

Fortunately, there is a large group of Christians in the Netherlands standing with and praying for Israel. Also the Dutch government positively supports Israel. To me it is important because the Bible also says in Genesis 12:3 “I (God) will bless you who bless you (Israel) and curse you who curse you (Israel).” Our attitude and role toward Israel affect my blessings I experience as a Dutchman but also but also as a nation. This is an important spiritual aspect. Therefore, spiritual leadership and my vision for Israel are important.

I would like to tilt this section and give a different perspective about Israel and her impact in the world. Many inventions come from Israel and are a blessing to the whole world. Think here of IT solutions, defense, AI, drones, Internet programs, cyber protection but also developments in fruit and wheat seeds, vegetables and water. All this Israel would like to share with the world. In this context, I enjoy watching TV programs such as TBN Israel and where these wonderful inventions are shown.

Another interesting fact played out in 2023. See source: i24news.tv. Due to increasing tension with neighboring countries and dependence on gas, God completely reversed Israel's dependence on gas. This happened because a huge grass field was discovered off the coast of Israel with an estimate of 600 billion cubic meters of gas. This gas field is called Leviathan. Suddenly Israel was 100% independent from other neighboring countries where they lost their leverage on Israel. How impressive is our God!

And what is Israel's attitude to the world when it comes to its inventions but also other resources such as gas and water? Israel shares this with the world and but also with her neighbors. Everyone is allowed to share and enjoy this blessing. Arab countries and its people find work in Israel as employees and often find better working and studying conditions than in their own country.

Another, startling aspect has to do with warfare. Before Israel launches an attack, text messages, flyers and news broadcasts warn everyone in that area to leave the area. By doing this, Israel wants to avoid unnecessary casualties often on a war that Israel itself never started. All this including sharing in blessings and inventions paints a very different picture of Israel. Therefore, I love Israel, stand with Israel and I am grateful that Israel has given my savior, Jesus Christ.

America

America's role has been and continues to be enormous. The country is also called “the land of great opportunity”. This is because spiritually speaking America and Israel are important to God and the times we live in today. But there is also a huge spiritual and natural battle going on in America right now. In the natural, a left-leaning, liberal government wants to make changes around free abortion and gender change and the reduction of Christianity within all levels of society, politics, media and education. During her past Democratic Congress (DNC 2024) in August 2024, all female attendees were able to get free abortions. Source: CBN/Benjamin Gill. This is an anti-Christian movement that goes against God's word on all fronts. America will reap its consequences if the Democrats gain power after the elections.

Fortunately, there is a strong opposition from the republicans and 45 though it almost cost his life during an attempt on his life that took place on July 13, 2024. But many prophets like Kim Clement (Source: KimClement.tv and database of prophecies of Kim Clement) and Henk Kunneman have prophesied that 45 will get his second term.

Before Israel launches an attack, text messages, flyers and news broadcasts warn everyone in that area to leave the area. By doing this, Israel wants to avoid unnecessary casualties often on a war that Israel itself never started.

When 45 is re-elected America will fall into a financial recession (is prophesied) however because of the faith of millions of Americans and her stand and support with Israel, America will be a blessing to us and Israel. God has not forgotten America also in the economic field. The latter in response to the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) who want to release their own global currency and disconnect from America. Through global stability, we will see great spiritual revivals of nations who will accept Jesus Christ as Savior. This is God's great plan for Israel, America, Europe and the Netherlands.

Europe

As a leader within my own organization (davidrakers.com) and as an organizational consultant and business coach, I look beyond certain boundaries. I try to keep insight within my personal life, my work environment and view on society. For example, I see an important triangle between America, Israel in Europe. Within this triangle there is a certain dynamic that is very powerful. From a spiritual perspective, this combination is very strong. Israel being used as a barometer for Christians and to interpretate in what time we are living, America as a great power bringing balance to the world and Europe becoming more and more an important in her role in the end times. Of course, when I talk about Europe I am also talking about the Netherlands and the position of the global and local church, the ecclesia.

This is because I believe that there is only one entity and this is the church who ultimately will be in charge before Jesus Christ return. Jesus Christ is at the head of His church. The church (the congregation/ecclesia) is ultimately responsible for occupying, establishing, expanding and building God's Kingdom here on earth. God uses for this purpose peoples, persons, kings, influencers, systems and influences.

So the triangle Israel-Amerika-Europa plays a very important end time role. I live in the Netherlands. Prophetically speaking, the Netherlands has a very important role as an incubator, motivator, booster of huge apostolic/prophetic movements in Europe. And this can only happen within a healthy relationship between America, Israel in Europe and the Netherlands. We already see some revival fires emerging where people in the streets shouting the name “Jesus” publicly and loudly.

We see this happening particularly among the youth. This group is longing for change, law and justice. All this is happening now in Israel and the Netherlands (recently with over 80,000 people at Opwekking) and in America in Hollywood. God is preparing an inheritance/remnant for His Son Jesus Christ and bringing all nations under the rule of His Son. There is nothing that could stop this because every word God speaks never returns void to God, Bible verse Isaiah 55:11.

As a spiritual leader, I look to the future positively and with expectation despite all the tensions in the world. God is always in control no matter what! What a great promise and what joy this gives me!