Wave
of Violence Hits Christians in the Middle East Wave of Violence Hits Christians in the Middle East
[From Joel Rosenberg's Blog] "Dave Olsson, just
posted an important new article on The Joshua Fund website. Here are a
few excerpts:
'It is not receiving nearly enough attention in the mainstream media,
but a disturbing development is underway in the Middle East: followers
of Jesus Christ in the epicenter have endured a dramatic surge of
violence and persecution at the hands of religious and political
extremists in recent weeks and months.
In Iraq, Christians have been attacked and killed in their homes and in
public, forcing nearly a thousand families to flee from Baghdad and
Mosul to the safer Kurdistan region in the north. A separate siege on a
Baghdad church on October 31 killed 58 followers of the Lord Jesus and
wounded 67 others.
In Israel, extremists firebombed an Arab Christian church in Jerusalem
in November. In December, Kristine Luken, an American evangelical
Christian was stabbed to death not far from Jerusalem in what many
believe to have been an act of terror. Her friend, Kay Wilson-an Israeli
believer in Jesus-was also severely wounded in the attack.
In Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the so-called "Supreme Leader,"
publicly warned last fall against the "network of house churches" that
"threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims." Then, during
Christmas, at least 70 Iranian Christians were arrested in their homes
and separated from their families.
Coptic Christians in Egypt have also suffered severe persecution since
2011 began. As a result of two violent attacks this month, nearly 30
people have died and dozens more have been wounded.
Jesus Christ warned His followers that in the last days "they will
deliver you to tribulation and will kill you" (Matthew
24:8). The Lord also warned His
followers that "an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think
that he is offering service to God" (John
16:2). The good news is that the Lord
Jesus also promised the world that, "I will build My Church and the
gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew
16:18) Overall, the Church is growing.
More people in the epicenter are coming to faith in Jesus Christ than
any other time in history, and this is a cause for great rejoicing.'"
Joel Rosenberg Blog