"When they chant 'Death To America, Death To Israel,' believe them!" - Pastor Travis Johnson
Mobile pastor Travis Johnson has never been one to shy away from political sermons to his congregation at Pathway Church. He has openly addressed controversial topics from the pulpit and has preached the truth to the masses without fear.
Now, he is weighing in on the conflict between Israel and Iran.
Johnson has sat with ambassadors from Israel and heard of the tragedies that have occurred there. He said the most horrific events he has ever witnessed include the killing of babies, grandparents and families at the hands of Hamas. Johnson's stance is that Israel has the right to defend itself.
"First of all, Israel occupies less than 1% of all of the Middle East, and it is an intersection of conflict constantly," Johnson said. "Also, we have heard that Israel has engaged in a preemptive attack on Iran. I don't think that's good marketing. I don't think that's true. The reality is, in just the last couple years, we've seen October 7th, we've seen attacks by the Houthis, by Hezbollah, by Hamas and by Iran, directly on Israel. Israel has a right to exist."
Iran directly supports the terrorism inflicted by Hamas by financially backing the movement and training members.
"Hamas is not a legitimate government," said Johnson. "The actual government is in exile. There is no legitimate government taking place. There are many innocent people that are living under dictatorial tyranny under the control of terrorists. It's a terrible thing to see people as human shields."
The Biden administration allowed millions of Iranian dollars to be unfrozen, putting the U.S. and President Donald Trump into a difficult position.
"Now, we are having to deal with circumstances that we didn't ask for," said Johnson. "That's what leaders do. That's where President Trump is. I'm really thankful that he's in office for that."
Johnson believes even Iranians living in America understand the consequences.
"You do not see Iranians who live in the United States in the streets protesting," Johnson said. "The Iranian leadership, or at least what's left of them, is where they are because that's where they want to be at."
With assassination attempts from Iran on Trump, Johnson said that is enough reason for the U.S. to be concerned.
"They have been attacking not only Israel but the United States," he added. "They chant death to Israel and death to America, and we should listen to them when they say that. We've seen it. We've experienced it."
Johnson said it is concerning to think of Iran having nuclear weapons because he recognizes they would use those weapons "in the most terrible ways."
"I am glad that President Trump is 'America First," he said. "If America is not healthy, nobody's going to be healthy. I don't see 'America First' as being isolationist, but we put our interests first. And I certainly don't expect President Trump to have a non-response after three documented, at least three, documented assassination plots against his own person."
While the Bible states that those who bless Israel will prosper and be blessed, Johnson said that doesn't mean we have to go to war, but as Christians, we should pray for Israel to be blessed. He said he plans to speak to his congregation further on what the Bible teaches Christians about Israel and Iran.
"One thing I would say to Christians that may be afraid, one of the greatest things about following Christ is knowing that our salvation is secure in Jesus," Johnson added. "And if we really believe that Jesus is who he says he is, the worst anyone can do to any one of us is to take our life. And if we lose our life, the Bible says to be absent from the body is to be present with Jesus."
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