Posted on 06/22/2015 5:49:13 PM PDT by markomalley
ISIS Muslims are right now surrounding a 4th century Christian monastery, called St. Matthews Monastery. Although the Muslim terrorists are armed with machine guns and knives, the Christians inside the church three monks and six students are not afraid, declaring:
We of course are not scared. God protects us
Sahar Karaikos, one of six students in the monastery, said
We are not scared, because our teachers give us a feeling of peace here, but we know we are on the front lines, and in seconds the Islamic State could be here I dont even want to think or speak about the destruction the Islamic State would cause if they took our monastery.
The Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil, Bashar Warda, explained that a small unit of Kurdish soldiers are protecting the church and the nine Christians. But he also explained that this was not the reason why the Christians are so confident:
There is a kind of feeling that they cannot express but they at least feel relaxed in a way that even if, God forbid, something would happen, they are in safe hands
Multitudes of people from the nearby villages have already fled, but not these nine Christians, even though the church is right on the frontline of the fighting between ISIS and coalition forces. Yousif Ibrahim, one of three monks, said:
We can see the battles and the airstrikes from here in front of us, especially at night. The sky lights up at night, but we of course are not scared. God protects us
The church is located on top of Mount Alfaf in Nineveh Plains, and is recognized and esteemed as one of the oldest Christian monasteries in existence. It is currently under the care of the Syriac Orthodox Church; and like the churches in antiquity, within the monastery there is an amazing library with a significant amount of Syriac Christian manuscripts.
What is disturbing is to hear Christians in the West say stupid things like: They should flee. Its not about a building! The building itself is holy; the building is an icon, an icon that signifies the grace that God has given to us through His Church. This little monastery, no matter how insignificant people may say it is, is an icon of Christian civilization, and if they flee, it is only an expression to the enemy, that Islamic despotism is vanquishing Christian civilization. When Christendom rises and Christ returns, this little church will be one of the stones by which the empire of the Cross will be built, and even if the Muslims destroy it, it will be a piece of the fortress of Faith that will stand within our hearts.
It is by courage that the flames of Faith are alighted, for in the flames of valiancy, there is love. But in the cold brick of cowardice, there is only indifference and callousness. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18) God is love; thus, within this little church, there is God.
May God be with them
Luke 22:35-38:
35 Jesus asked them [the eleven apostles], “When I sent you out without a purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “No, not a thing.”
36 He said to them, “But now the one who has a purse must take it, and likewise a bag. And the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one.
37 For I tell you, this scripture must be fulfilled in me: And he was numbered among the lawless; and indeed what is written about me is being fulfilled.”
38 They [the disciples] said, “See, Lord, here are two swords.”
“It is enough,” he replied.
Apparently globull warming is more important to them and the Pope.
Prayers could be used for those believers who are bravely taking a stand against ISIS.
BTTTT
And Elisha said to them, This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek. And he led them to Samaria.
As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down? He answered, You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master. So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.
Absolutely. Thank you for the ping.
Great Bible passage. Thanks for posting it.
Praying for these saints.
My prayers up for the safety of these amazing people. Thankfully the Kurds are guarding them and not those craven Iraqi arabs.
I, or rather the Lord, beseech you as Christ’s heralds to publish this everywhere and to perse all people of whatever rank, foot-soldiers and knights, poor and rich, to carry aid promptly to those Christians and to destroy that vile race from the lands of our friends. I say this to those who are present, it is meant also for those who are absent. Moreover, Christ commands it
O Lord, save Thy people,
and bless Thine inheritance!
Grant victory to the pious Christians
over the barbarians
and by virtue of Thy cross,
preserve Thy commonwealth.
I pray that the hearts and mind of the terrorists are softened and they come to see the error of their ways.
Amen to every word of your anointed prayer.
Good luck with that!
I've got nine from SC that could have made that claim; too!
Then there are the folks in Hebrews ...
Chapter 11:33-40
33 Who by faith conquered kingdoms, wrought justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, recovered strength from weakness, became valiant in battle, put to flight the armies of foreigners:
35 Women received their dead raised to life again. But others were racked, not accepting deliverance, that they might find a better resurrection.
36 And others had trial of mockeries and stripes, moreover also of bands and prisons.
37 They were stoned, they were cut asunder, they were tempted, they were put to death by the sword, they wandered about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being in want, distressed, afflicted:
38 Of whom the world was not worthy; wandering in deserts, in mountains, and in dens, and in caves of the earth.
39 And all these being approved by the testimony of faith, received not the promise;
40 God providing some better thing for us, that they should not be perfected without us.
Well; I've no hand grenades, as I'd blow myself up due to a really weak throwing arm!
But I CAN reach out and touch someone a long, LONG way off!
Here we go!!
I've got 7 churches in ASIA that the Catholics evidently do NOT consider to be 'holy'.
I think John mentioned them long, long ago...
Personally blessed by Francis hisself!!!
Amen.
Excellent article. Thanks for sharing. Where do we get airline tickets to add to the ranks of these brave men?
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