Persecution: Sign of the Times

Roland Clarke

Introduction

On 21st April 2013 CNN reported, “at least 566 ... killed over a six-day period across Syria” – the highest single death toll in a conflict that has so far killed 100,000. While Islamic sects in Syria are killing one another at a horrifying rate, another sectarian conflict continues unabated in Iraq, indeed, across much of the Muslim world.

People in the west struggle to understand how Muslim brothers can be so hateful to each other. However, it is not just outsiders who are puzzled, insiders also struggle. Many Muslims are perplexed and deeply distressed, if not disillusioned.

As difficult as it is to make sense of these things, Muslim preachers offer meaning and hope by fuelling a Messianic expectation, i.e. an era of worldwide peace ushered in by Al Masihu Isa (and the Mahdi). They find it reassuring that the Ahadith says this golden era will be preceded by much internal fighting and killing between Islamic sects.

As terrible as these trends are, they are only one aspect of the violence which pervades the Muslim world. Another common occurrence in Muslim majority countries is seeing Muslims attack other religious minority groups – not just Muslim political rivals. Such minorities include Christians who suffer the brunt of much persecution across the Muslim world.

Persecution

But Christians who know their Bible should not be taken aback by all this since Jesus warned his followers that they would be widely hated and persecuted. Unfortunately, stories of persecution are seldom reported in the secular media. One rare example is an article by Salim Mansur, entitled, Arab spring becomes Christian nightmare. Mansur, a political science professor, raised an outcry on behalf of persecuted Christians. He describes their plight across the Middle East as 'catastrophic' and 'scandalous.' Recent developments, since Mansur wrote this article, show that Christians in Syria are being severely persecuted by Islamist 'freedom fighters.'

Mansur is to be commended and yet he is not alone. In April 2013 three Christian scholars collaborated in writing Persecuted: The Global Assault on Christians. This book decries the "scandalously underreported fact, that Christians are the single most widely persecuted religious group in the world today." Not only so, they conclude, "it is in the Muslim world where persecution of Christians is now most widespread, intense, and, ominously increasing."

Let us look at Egypt which was governed for a year by Morsi, a so-called moderate Islamist. In spite of his regime's reputed moderation, persecution accelerated. Indeed, under his regime, Christians suffered increasing persecution. Islamists blatantly attacked churches with impunity. For example, on the weekend of April 6th,7th (2013) Muslim hatred erupted against Egyptian Christians resulting in ten being killed as well as the wounding of hundreds.

Raymond Ibrahim, a leading researcher of persecution, details what happened after the initial outbreak of violence:

This attack on the most important Cathedral in Egypt shouldn't surprise us. Just 18 months earlier, 3,000 Muslims attacked St George Coptic Church in Edfu. Raymond Ibrahim believes that this story illustrates

In his 'January 2013' report, Raymond Ibrahim describes how the sharia-driven agenda of Morsi does not tolerate religious freedom:

This story is reminiscent of what happened to Muhammad Hegazy five years ago. In that case an “Egyptian judge ruled that a Muslim who converts to Christianity cannot legally change his religious status, although he may believe what he wants in his heart.” (Ethan Cole in the Christianpost)

Cole explained that six months earlier:

The reporter explained that “Hegazy and his wife, Zeinab, have gone into hiding since filing the case because of the numerous death threats they received, including one from Hegazy’s father if he does not return to Islam.” The situation five years later is that Hegazy is still unable to confirm his legal status as a Christian!

Worsening persecution/martyrdom?

In light of the increasing outcry from reputed scholars warning that Christian persecution is on the rise globally shouldn't we consider if this trend correlates with apocalyptic prophecy?

Jesus preached a sermon on the end times in which he warned of a coming “great persecution.” (Luke 21:12) Indeed, he prophesied that suffering, of one kind or another, would engulf the whole world. “For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God's chosen ones [elect].” (Matthew 24:21-22) Elsewhere Christ specifically foretold that persecutors will think they are even doing God a service by killing Christians. (John 16:2)

In a similar way, the prophet Daniel foretold God's people will suffer intense onslaught in the end times by a Satanically empowered ruler. This mighty tyrant will wage war against believers, overpowering and even killing many of them. (Daniel 7:21; 11:33-35) The apostle John, also foretells that many Christians will be martyred. In fact, martyrdom pervades the book of Revelation. (see chapters 2,6,7,12,13,16,17,18 & 20)

People who have even a basic awareness of global news are aware that Christians are suffering serious persecution, although such stories are admittedly underreported.

The above-mentioned examples from Egypt – a 'moderate' Islamic nation – pale in comparison to the persecution happening in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Somalia, etc. Seeing these gathering storm clouds of persecution across the Muslim world, one asks rhetorically, like Christ did, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Luke 18:8, ESV)

A word to Christian readers

This unfolding scenario in Egypt (indeed, globally) brings to mind a conversation Jesus had with grief-stricken women who walked behind him on the way to his crucifixion,

A large crowd trailed behind including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them:

The apocalyptic implications behind these words resonate with Matthew 24:19-22, where Christ warned:

Whoever has ears to listen will be ready to “endure persecution patiently, obeying his commands and maintaining their faith in Jesus.” (Revelation 14:12) Already during his life on earth, Jesus gave a similar warning, “Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold but the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:12)

A word to Muslim readers

Jesus Christ predicted terrible events in the end times including widespread persecution of true believers and significant numbers of martyrs.¹ Many God-fearing people will agree that such atrocities fit an end-of-the-world scenario. Perhaps you have even glimpsed occasional stories of Christians being persecuted in Muslim countries? If you are in doubt about this, I suggest you read Raymond Ibrahim's reports which are available online.

Also, you may like to read the story of a modern day African martyr named Hasmir, briefly summarized below. A more visually appealing version of Hasmir's story is available online.

Hasmir lived in a predominantly Muslim community in Africa. One day a devout Muslim (we will call him Ismail) was approached by Hasmir, a former Muslim, who enthusiastically shared his new-found faith in Jesus Christ. As you might expect, Ismail did not accept Hasmir’s message. Over the next few months he became more hostile towards Hasmir as he saw several other Muslims accepting Hasmir’s witness to Jesus and even being baptized. Efforts to bring Hasmir back to Islam failed. Finally, Ismail became so provoked about this whole situation that he invited Hasmir to come over to his home, suggesting he wanted to hear more. But this was a cunning trick.

Ismail pretended to listen but then he betrayed and killed him. He believed he was doing Allah a service. The tactic he used minimized the chance of anyone in the community knowing he was the murderer. Several months went by. Somehow Ismail was able to continue with his life pretty much as normal. But then disaster hit. He was struck down with a mysterious disease which left him paralysed. In the days that followed, Ismail was shown love by a friendly Christian. Others who he expected to be there for him didn’t care for him. The testimony of this Christian resonated with what Hasmir had told him a year earlier. His conscience (which had been hardened) was somehow re-ignited and he spent many sleepless nights under a cloud of shame and guilt. The mental agony and weight of this burden dragged on for months. Life was miserable. Finally he decided to unburden himself by talking to Salim who he recognized as a friend of Hasmir. This Christian showed neither suspicion nor a desire to avenge Hasmir’s blood, as Ismail expected. Instead he genuinely listened as Ismail shared his painful story. He encouraged Ismail to humbly confess his sin to God who freely pardons through Jesus, the Lamb of God who died in his place on the cross. (Isaiah 55:7; 52:5-7) This new friend also counselled Ismail to confess to Hasmir’s friends. He agreed and that night Ismail slept peacefully for the first time in many months.

Concluding remarks

It is encouraging to know there are Muslims with a sensitive heart, like Salim Mansur, who empathize with persecuted Christians. But let me ask you a personal question. Having seen how Hasmir was murdered, can you empathize with the heartache and suffering his wife and children had to endure?

Think also about Hasmir's Christian friend, Salim. Isn't it amazing how he showed kindness to Ismail instead of holding a grudge or hating him? ²

Have you ever experienced kindness and love from a Christian? Do you realize the reason they act this way is because they seek to follow Christ's example. Take a moment and read his instructions to his followers:

If you want Jesus to forgive your sins, call out to him and he will save you. Acknowledge Jesus as God's true Messiah and believe that he came to bring God's salvation as foretold in Isaiah 49:6. Think about it and you'll realize that the name Jeshua/Jesus, as given by the angel means, 'God is salvation.'

If you want to discuss these themes write me here.

All Bible quotes are taken from the New Living Translation unless otherwise indicated.

Footnotes

1. Someone may ask, “Christians aren't the only ones being martyred! What about Muslims?” In recent years there has been much discussion of martyrdom in Muslim circles mainly because of the escalating death toll pertaining to homicide (suicide?) bombers. This horrific blood-letting has evoked no small debate among jurists. Is it legitimate to take one's own life while waging war against Satan, i.e. the 'Great Satan' – America, and the 'little Satan' – Israel? What makes this issue even more complicated is that in many cases bombers (inadvertently?) kill fellow Muslims. Space does not permit us to discuss these ramifications. However, two other articles shed some light on it; Escalating Ramadan Death Toll and When Nations Shake: A Prophetic Perspective. These articles make a thought provoking observation in relation to Islamic martyrs. Most of these mujahideen die in Muslim-on-Muslim violence. Nearly all Muslim martyrs die 'suicidally' whereas followers of Christ die at the hands of non-Christians. It is important to bear this in mind as we look at Christ's prophecy, “and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.” (John 16:2) The fact that virtually no Muslims are martyred by hostile outsiders, but by Muslims, i.e. suicidally, is inconsistent with Christ's prophecy.

Very relevant to this subject is an article by Thomas Schirrmacher discussing the question, “How many Christians are being martyred each year?” His article appears on pg. 9, IJRF Volume 4, Issue 2. Another relevant read is a new book by Raymond Ibrahim, Crucified Again: Exposing Islam's New War on Christians.

2. You recall that Salim graciously overlooked Ismail's evil deed. Also, it is noteworthy how this attitude reflects the forgiveness which Christ voiced while praying to his Father about his persecutors. On the other hand, we mustn't read too much into this: because Christ showed forbearance does not mean that those who persecuted him (or his followers) will go unpunished at the final judgement. Scripture declares that God,

In his justice will pay back those who persecute you. And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted...” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7) We read a similar statement in another Scripture:

Appendix

Are God's people survivors or victors?

Earlier we noted a prophecy foretelling the rise of a Satanically empowered ruler in the end times who will wage war against God's people, even “defeating them” (Daniel 7:21) But then 'the Ancient One' comes (this is a Messianic title). Scripture says he “came and judged in favour of his holy people. Then the time arrived for the holy people to take over the kingdom.” (Daniel 7:22)

It is true: today we see troubling trends of intensifying persecution which could raise doubts as to whether the church will survive. But we mustn't forget: the final outcome is in God's hand. He is able do what we think is utterly impossible. He will snatch victory from the jaws of apparent defeat!

In the final analysis the victory belongs to God – not Satan. As it is written: