Looks like the persecution of Catholics and Christians is alive and well with these Hindus. Hmmmm
<< One of the assailants threw kerosene on the pastor, and others started burning Bibles. Someone tossed a burning Bible onto Pastor Gowda, but miraculously he did not catch fire, Joseph told Compass. >>
miraculously = God’s intervention.....
That would be reminiscent of the story of Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego in the book of Daniel (Chapter 3, Verses 8-30).
Basically, these 3 refused to worship the image of gold set up by King Nebuchadnezzar, so he ordered the furnace heated up 7 times hotter than usual. The fire was so hot that it killed the soldiers who took Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego up.
As they were in the furnace, the King saw there was a 4th being with them that appeared to the King to be a son of the gods, and called for them to come out. The fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their head singed.
Then the King said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego, who has sent his angel & rescued his servants!” The King then decreed that no one in his nation may speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego.
God watches over his servants, and it sounds like he was with that Pastor, when he did not catch fire despite all the kerosene.
Regardless, God bless that wonderful Pastor for holding strong in his faith!!
And, this is all reminiscent of guess Who?
Christians put it on pretty stained glass windows and sing exquisite hymns (and true, He is worthy of that) but to put it in modern parlance, He got grabbed, mugged, paraded, slashed, spiked, and bled to death.
“A servant is not greater than his Master.”
“If they hate you, remember that they hated ME first.”
“The extremists then stripped the pastor naked and hung a board around his neck that said, “I am the one who was converting people,” before parading him through the area.”
A true honor.