Followers of Jesus Christ in the epicenter have endured a dramatic
surge of violence and persecution at the hands of religious and
political extremists in recent weeks and months. In Iraq, Christians have been attacked and killed in their homes and
in public, forcing nearly a thousand families to flee from Baghdad and
Mosul to the safer Kurdistan region in the north. A separate siege on
a Baghdad church on October 31 killed 58 followers of the Lord Jesus
and wounded 67 others. In Israel, extremists firebombed an Arab Christian church in Jerusalem
in November. In December, Kristine Luken, an American evangelical
Christian was stabbed to death not far from Jerusalem in what many
believe to have been an act of terror. Her friend, Kay Wilson-an
Israeli believer in Jesus-was also severely wounded in the attack. In Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the so-called "Supreme Leader,"
publicly warned last fall against the "network of house churches" that
"threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims." Then, during
Christmas, at least 70 Iranian Christians were arrested in their homes
and separated from their families. Coptic Christians in Egypt have also suffered severe persecution since
2011 began. As a result of two violent attacks this month, nearly 30
people have died and dozens more have been wounded. Jesus Christ warned His followers that in the last days "they will
deliver you to tribulation and will kill you" (Matthew 24:8). The Lord
also warned His followers that "an hour is coming for everyone who
kills you to think that he is offering service to God" (John 16:2).
The good news is that the Lord Jesus also promised the world that, "I
will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against
it." (Matthew 16:18) Overall, the Church is growing. More people in
the epicenter are coming to faith in Jesus Christ than any other time
in history, and this is a cause for great rejoicing. By Joel C. Rosenberg
surge of violence and persecution at the hands of religious and
political extremists in recent weeks and months. In Iraq, Christians have been attacked and killed in their homes and
in public, forcing nearly a thousand families to flee from Baghdad and
Mosul to the safer Kurdistan region in the north. A separate siege on
a Baghdad church on October 31 killed 58 followers of the Lord Jesus
and wounded 67 others. In Israel, extremists firebombed an Arab Christian church in Jerusalem
in November. In December, Kristine Luken, an American evangelical
Christian was stabbed to death not far from Jerusalem in what many
believe to have been an act of terror. Her friend, Kay Wilson-an
Israeli believer in Jesus-was also severely wounded in the attack. In Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the so-called "Supreme Leader,"
publicly warned last fall against the "network of house churches" that
"threaten Islamic faith and deceive young Muslims." Then, during
Christmas, at least 70 Iranian Christians were arrested in their homes
and separated from their families. Coptic Christians in Egypt have also suffered severe persecution since
2011 began. As a result of two violent attacks this month, nearly 30
people have died and dozens more have been wounded. Jesus Christ warned His followers that in the last days "they will
deliver you to tribulation and will kill you" (Matthew 24:8). The Lord
also warned His followers that "an hour is coming for everyone who
kills you to think that he is offering service to God" (John 16:2).
The good news is that the Lord Jesus also promised the world that, "I
will build My Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against
it." (Matthew 16:18) Overall, the Church is growing. More people in
the epicenter are coming to faith in Jesus Christ than any other time
in history, and this is a cause for great rejoicing. By Joel C. Rosenberg
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