Posted on 03/05/2002 11:32:49 PM PST by JohnHuang2
"… But an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God."
– Jesus Christ AD33 (John 16:2)Jesus Christ predicted that in the last days leading to his return, there would be a great wave of persecution against Christians. The unique thing about this particular prediction is that those who murder Christians will believe they are following God's word and performing a religious duty for Him. This can apply to various religions, but none more than the Muslim religion.
Under the Islamic doctrine of Jihad, Muslims have begun a concerted slaughter of Christians in many parts of the world. The most vicious treatment is reserved for Muslims who convert to Christianity. In many cases, converts are killed by their own family. Many Muslim nations have laws that require the death penalty for converts.
Again, Jesus predicted about those days, "And at that time many will fall away and will deliver up one another and hate one another." (Matt. 24:11)
The Muslim religion is the most intolerant of any major religion in the world. Intolerance of other religions is a central part of their doctrine. It is particularly intolerant of Christians.
Muslim persecution of Christians is often not the kind of "persecution" one thinks of in the 21st century. We're not talking about denying Christians permission to vote, or harassing their churches, or denying them social equality – although all three, of course, apply.
Rather, we are talking about the kind of persecution in which a Christian is given a choice between renouncing Jesus Christ and seeing themselves or their loved ones mutilated and/or murdered.
In an open letter published the other day on WorldNet Daily, the head of Servant's Purse recounted a story in which Sudanese Christians who refused to renounce Christ had a three-inch nail driven into their skulls.
"Persecution" – in terms of what it means in the Sudan – is too horrible to put into words. In the Sudan, forced conversion to Islam is a matter of official state policy.
In Nigeria, wearing of turbans and veils by male and female students in post-primary institutions is mandatory – there are no exceptions. Fourteen church buildings have been slated for demolition by the state government. One third of the Nigeria's internal states have imposed Sharia law. In one state, Kaduna, more than 2,000 people were killed in Christian-Muslim riots linked to plans to introduce Islamic law there.
The U.N. Universal Declaration of Human Rights says:
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.
Muslims not only violate these human rights, their religion teaches that they should do so. A Christian is not supposed to even be allowed on the Arabian Peninsula. Non-Muslims are not allowed at all in Mecca.
In Saudi Arabia, all citizens must be Muslims. Wearing of Christian symbols, distribution, or even possession of Christian literature is a crime for which non-Muslims can be arrested, imprisoned, lashed and deported.
There are three Ethiopian Christians currently being held and reportedly tortured in the Saudi Breman Deportation Center. They were reportedly flogged 80 times with a metal cable while they were suspended in the air. They are charged with worshipping Christ in a private home.
An American missionary couple held hostage in the southern Philippines for eight months by the Muslim rebel group Abu Sayyaf live moment to moment under the constant threat of execution by decapitation.
The Koran commands, "Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity against those who believe to be the Jews and those who are polytheists." (Surah 5.82) Christians are called "polytheists" because of our faith in Jesus as God. This sets up Christians for persecution.
"So when you meet in battle those who disbelieve, then smite the necks until when you have overcome them, then make [them] prisoners, and afterwards either set them free as a favor or let them ransom [themselves] until the war terminates." (Surah 47.4)
"So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Surah 9.5)
"O Prophet! Strive [Fight] hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination." (Surah 9.73)
It is fascinating to read of U.S. efforts to accommodate the religious sensibilities of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, and of the human rights groups complaining Washington isn't doing enough. It would seem to me their services are more urgently required elsewhere.
First of all, he doesn't ask that question probably because he knows Jesus is alive. But if he did, I'd answer that Jesus willingly died to pay the penalty of sin for us and give us eternal life forever with Him.
Now if you want to know Him, spend time with Him, read His word for yourself, obey Him, follow Him, find out what He said about salvation for yourself. Read the Bible in its entirety. Find out what He has to say about everything. For one thing, he said he hates the doctrine of the Nicolatians. Nicolatians from two Greek words: Nikos = conquer and laos = people. There's a clue about following Him for ourselves instead of following another's religious interpretation. Many more clues to be found in the Word. Another clue is the Bereans who searched the scripture daily to see "whether those things were so. The Scripture will tell you what the Scripture is for. Just read with an open heart, like 2sheep said.
It might not hurt to engage your brain as well. There are certain sects which have other books beside the bible that ask you to read them with an open heart too. Sometimes you can open your heart to mischief. Search the scriptures, but test the spirits.
<><
Marlowe
There are certain sects which have other books beside the bible that ask you to read them with an open heart too. Could you be more straightforward so I can know what books you're referring to? I used to be a voracious reader and book collector. Now I read the Bible, sometimes refer to the concordance, and maybe read 5-10 Christian testimonies a year, so I'm way out of the loop.
Not without running the risk of having my posts pulled. You can figure it out. They offer a free copy of their book on television once in a while. They ask that you consider it as "another testament" to Jesus. They ask that you take it and "sincerely" ask God to reveal to you whether or not its "true."
Just remember that if you WANT to believe a lie, then God will reinforce your belief in the lie.
2 Thess 2:11
I would also caution anyone considering their offer to read Galatians 1:6-9
<><
Marlowe
Come now, its more fun to jump up and down and scream "chicken little".
I know for a fact that he loves the Lord with all his heart and also know for a fact that even he knows that he is not a perfect human being. He admits to making mistakes in his past and owns up to them.
I know for a fact that if you followed Hal's teaching in any way, you would know that he teaches much, much more than prophesy and many have come to know Christ through his teaching, including myself and most of my family.
In the Late Great Planet Earth there is a sentence in there where Hal uses the phrase "I predict" but in the same paragraph he also states that he isn't a prophet and it is just his interpretation.
Many (not all)Hal bashers refer to that one phrase to condemn him on everything that comes out of his mouth.
I would really appreciate you coming up with some sort of proof that Hal has ever called himself a prophet.
Jesus said that you would know the Christians because they have love one for another. Using Jesus' standard I don't think I know a lot of Christians.
You might consider a reading comprehension course for her.
Dan
Anyone who doesn't want to be viewed as a prophet of God has an easy chore: don't issue "predictions" about the future involving the end of the world and the Son of God.
I have seen him on TV MANY TIMES and he ALWAYS gives the impression---and does not disabuse anyone---that he is operation as some sort of prophetic dispensation. Maybe, if you know him, you should urge him to do more disclaimers.
You forgot to add the obligatory BARF alert. These fortune tellers, like the thrice-married Hal, once paened the certain victory of global communism. God takes down marx, and these @$$holes immediately look for another villain to cringe before.
A million thanks for your words of Biblical sanity.
Yes. Jesus is ruling now, will rule until all his enemies are dubdued, and I see too many butts out there that still need to be kicked.
Does not the Lord say that no man, incuding you, me and Hal, knows the hour and day, but, that we should be able to tell about when by the signs.
He was speaking of the Great Tribulation, AKA the Jewish war, 63-70 AD.
And does He not then go on and give us an idea of what the times will be like just before his return?
No.
And do not those signs tend to point to what we are seing and hearing on the news this very time?
No.
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