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.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE NATION OF ISLAM IS?
Exactly. Maybe I should have said "hasn't worked to this point". But I believe what they wanted was an overthrow of the American Govt. by Black Muslims, and that did not occur. Blacks have gained equality in this nation without resorting to such tactics. I would think there wouldn't be enough support in the black community for Muslims to attempt such a thing,(of course, there's always NOW) but I don't wear rose colored glasses either.
"They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do this because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember ;that I told you of them."
Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. Luke 10:7
What do you make out of these two verses that seem to confilict?
I think the line is ok to depend entierly on your religous work for your support (as some of the apostles did), but not ok to become a religous huckser (like some well know tv-preachers who are more about merchandising.)
Where does Hal Lindsey fall? I don't know. Just because most of your work involves writing books (and telling people about them) doesn't mean you're a huckster. Writing still is the main way to get infomation across to people.
I can by that some would try to kill us, but I also don't believe Tim McVeigh acted alone, so blacks aren't the only ones...They'll use anyone who blames America first, and there are plenty of white Americans who fit that description, just look at Congress...
And it is the teachings of other than those that Paul is warning about.
Ah, but are you that sure that it is not? 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. And does He not then go on and give us an idea of what the times will be like just before his return? And do not those signs tend to point to what we are seing and hearing on the news this very time?
But, first ask your pastor if I am not right about some coming seeking more knowledge of Christ, due to having read one of his or others books about end times.
A huckster lies and deceives. Unfortunately, most seem to have fallen for the lie that the Scriptures would be incomprehensible, were it not for the 'interpretations' of certain scholars. It's akin to the leaven (doctrine) of the Pharisees, who were covetous. I suspect that the searching for and removing any trace of chametz, in preparation for Passover, is much more than a cleaning ritual.
Three things:
Note the headline for his article: "..Hal Lindsey * highlights prophecies * about current events."
Note the name of the website: "www.hallindseyORACLE.com". Those who claim to be an oracle, are claiming to be a person through whom a deity is believed to speak and give wise authoritative answers.
Note that Lindsey says he is "prophetically correct". Read it for yourself in the upper right-hand corner of this page HERE.
Based upon the foregoing, one capable of critical thought would conclude this about Lindsey: He is a person who claims to be a "Christian" prophet who is always "correct" when he relates prophetic Scripture to "current (and future) events", because he is an oracle through whom God speaks authoritatively.
What do you conclude? That "Hal has never said he was or is a prophet"??? :D
And in light of the fact that the "prophetically correct oracle's *past prophecies* didn't pan out, what do you think (or *feel*) that indicates?
Bump
And to many many others.
The Lord Jesus, the Christ be with and bless you my sister.
They do? Not those who are informed. We have already been in "the end times" since the crucifiction of Christ.
"He has never said he was a prophet."
Reeeeeeeeeally?????? (See #31)
The first man, an American Indian speaks up and says "Once we were many, now we are few".
The second man, a clearly devout Muslim says with a tone of defiance.. "Once we were few, and now we are many and strong."
The Third man, a west Texas Cowboy looks up at the Muslim, and switches the toothpick to the other corner of his mouth and says with a slight grin... "That's just cause we ain't got around to playing Cowboys & Muslims yet.
A Jew, a Catholic and a Muslim are walking along the sidewalk. Suddenly the Muslim runs across the street.
The Catholic turns to the Jew and says, "Why did the Muslim cross the road?"
Just then, a parked car next to the Jew and the Catholic explodes...
Mark W.
But you can have a "view" or an "opinion" as to what my middle name is. You might be right, or wrong. But that doesn't change the fact of my middle name.
BTW, how do you know he has never spoken as a prophet? Has he said as much? Just asking.
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