Can Ireland avoid divine judgment?

In a fast-paced world, saturated with media clips that are constantly competing for our attention, Pastor John Ahern’s 18-minute YouTube message doesn’t disappoint.

Addressing his fellow Irish countrymen, he sounds reluctant to speak on a topic which he says is more politically associated than what is usually heard in a house of worship.  But Ahern makes the important distinction that, in reality, support for Israel is a Biblical principle which has serious consequences for those who ignore it. Backing that up, he invokes two powerful scriptures: 

Psalm 148:14 - …the people close to God’s heart

Genesis 12:3 – I will bless those who bless Israel and curse those who curse Israel

Likening today’s super-charged antisemitic environment, to that of 1930s Nazi Germany, perhaps, the most powerful statement he makes is that “the West is dangerously indulging Jihadis and allowing our culture and values to be changed by those who hate God’s people.”

Ahern emphasizes that point by referring to the recent Glastonbury concert of June 25th, broadcast by the BBC, where British crowds were encouraged to repeat the chant, “Death to the IDF.” For him, Glastonbury marked the crossing of a dangerous line, because Ahern reminds us that just about every Israeli family has several members in the IDF, since military service is mandatory. So, what could be a clearer call for genocide? 

But most disappointing to him is the recognition of the Hamas terror state, by his native Ireland which he sees as having displayed “irrational behavior.” This goes hand in hand with the 2024 congratulatory letter sent by Ireland’s president to Iran’s new president, knowing that their state sponsors terrorism.

Going through the litany of cruel and inhumane treatment, witnessed by the world as ruthless countries and regimes, have committed mass murders in Yemen, Syria, the Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, India and Sudan as well as the despicable treatment of Uyghurs, Ahern is perplexed that Irish condemnation is reserved just for Israel.

It is this type of hypocrisy which he believes is bringing a curse upon his nation as well as others, reminding us that whoever touches Israel, touches the apple of God’s eye, in accordance with Zechariah 2:8. By becoming desensitized to Jihadi/Marxist ideology, which has taken hold of our institutions and political positions, he warns that Jew-hatred is now something that has been normalized.

Ahern’s words are so applicable, because how else could the events of October 7th be justified, excused or ignored without there being a disconnect from reality?  Would those same defenders of such atrocities continue to champion the perpetrators if they had invaded Ireland the way they did Israel?  Would the Republic not have sought retaliation or come to the defense of their homeland?

Yet, Ireland has chosen a direction which heaps endless condemnation upon the nation which Ahern constantly refers to as the land of the Bible, reminding us that the phrase, “the occupied territories” is actually Judea and Samaria, the very place where most of the scriptures were penned, and which represents the foundation of our faith. 

It is God’s intended home of the Jewish people, if the Word is an accurate recording of the Almighty. So, what happens to a country which chooses to align itself with terrorists who reject the divine blueprint, preferring to install their own? 

It is this path, being taken by the Irish government which has Ahern deeply troubled.  Feeling that his government has become contaminated by the purveyors of hatred for Israel, he sees how the hostility has only become more fiercely intensified.  The anger and rage have spilled out onto the streets of Ireland by way of the constant protests.  It is this phenomenon that Ahern recognizes as an attempt to Islamize and dismantle the Western world as it feeds into that type of dissatisfaction with civilized values.

Ahern shockingly says that Ireland has gained the reputation for being the most antisemitic nation, second only to countries in the Middle East.  He laments that his country is the first to resurrect the Nazi ban on selling Jewish goods – a disgraceful act which hasn’t been seen since the defeat of Hitler.

It’s no wonder that Ahern’s fiery message feels like a much-needed wake-up call to his people and government, whose enthusiastic and eager anti-Israel bias has catapulted them to be first in line for the divine judgment which comes to those who turn against God’s chosen.

And while Ahern expresses his shame and revulsion for the way his country has behaved, his passion and love for his people is evident as he honestly and soberly lets everyone know what awaits them if they do not reject this road they’ve taken and, instead, embrace their need for repentance, because anything else will result in their pain and suffering.

Knowing that speaking with this kind of unadulterated boldness, in a YouTube recording, could raise many eyebrows, Ahern does not seem to be too concerned about whatever consequences might come his way. Because this is the message of a man who is compelled to speak truth to his fellow citizens who have been held captive by the trendy political shifting winds of his misguided government leaders.  

These are not the words of a click-bait generator, but rather a righteous individual whose genuine fear for the welfare of his nation comes through loud and clear. Ahern knows that whatever happens, Israel will still exist, since God’s hand of protection is on her. Sadly, he is probably not sure if the same can be said for his own country of Ireland – especially if they don’t change their ways.

Familiar with the apocalyptic passage of Zechariah 12, which speaks of how things will culminate with Israel, Ahern reads the piercing words from verse 3 which say, “On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock.  All who try to move it will injure themselves.” It is likely that ominous warning which weighs heavily on his heart.

Ahern’s contention is that God is not nearly done with Israel, even if they are not yet the epitome of the light to the nations that they were meant to be. There is no doubt in his mind that God will never abandon Israel, which will ultimately fulfill its calling.  

Meanwhile, Ahern believes that the eyes of the world are on his country. The question is, “Will they choose to align with God’s plan or will they foolishly end up injured?”