When an armed gunman boarded a bus full of Coptic Christians heading to a monastery, it was the second terrorist attack this week.
At least 26 Christians were murdered in cold blood, with more than two dozen injured.
In the wake of radical Islamic violence erupting across the globe, Christian leaders and today's prophets are speaking out about the spiritual ramifications of such an attack.
At least 26 Christians were murdered in cold blood, with more than two dozen injured.
In the wake of radical Islamic violence erupting across the globe, Christian leaders and today's prophets are speaking out about the spiritual ramifications of such an attack.
Rabbi K.A. Schneider, author of The Book of Revelation Decoded:
I just watched a true documentary on how Christian missionaries were tortured and put to death in Japan in the 1600s. It was extremely hard to watch. We have such a different mindset in the Western world concerning our expectations of God's protection. But, when we think about it, so many believers were martyred in the early Christian church; and of course, we know that likely all 12 apostles were martyred. In the book of Revelation (6:9-11) we find the souls of those that have been martyred because of their faith. We should remember that when Stephen was being stoned to death, in the book of Acts, he had a supernatural anointing to go through that suffering so that he literally glowed like an angel. All I know is that suffering and persecution against Christians in the world will increase and that God's grace is sufficient. In fact, the Bible tells us about these truths. Get ready, church!
I just watched a true documentary on how Christian missionaries were tortured and put to death in Japan in the 1600s. It was extremely hard to watch. We have such a different mindset in the Western world concerning our expectations of God's protection. But, when we think about it, so many believers were martyred in the early Christian church; and of course, we know that likely all 12 apostles were martyred. In the book of Revelation (6:9-11) we find the souls of those that have been martyred because of their faith. We should remember that when Stephen was being stoned to death, in the book of Acts, he had a supernatural anointing to go through that suffering so that he literally glowed like an angel. All I know is that suffering and persecution against Christians in the world will increase and that God's grace is sufficient. In fact, the Bible tells us about these truths. Get ready, church!
Phil Hotsenpiller, end times expert
There is a clear prophecy in Isaiah 19 that point to a coming revival in Cairo and four other cities of Egypt. The prophecy tells us that they will speak Hebrew and erect an altar to the God of Israel. This will serve as a sign and witness for all to see. Egyptians will experience healing and the power of God. Demonic forces know of coming revival and have and will take bold steps to stop what God has planned. The tipping point began in 2011 revolution in North Africa and Egypt.
The Church of Jesus Christ is not powerless against the enemy and the great evil he promotes. On the contrary, the Church has been entrusted withpower and authority from on high. In his bestselling book Destined for the Throne, author Paul Billheimer confirmed, "The only force in the world that is contesting Satan's total rule in human affairs is the Church of the living God. . . . If there were nothing to hinder him, Satan would make a hell out of this world here and now. The only saving and healing virtue in the howling deserts of human life flows from the cross of Calvary."
As Christ followers, it is essential that we understand our responsibility. We cannot fall back in despair, nor can we give up while we wait for the return of the Lord. As poet and missionary Amy Carmichael stated, "Satan is so much more in earnest than we are—he buys up the opportunity while we are wondering how much it will cost."
The Church needs to strengthen its faith and resolve now more than ever. As evil and lawlessness spreads across the earth, there has never been a time when desperate people have been more in need of a message of hope.
Robert Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Dallas:
President Trump is right. This is a battle between good and evil and that evil aims to kill every Christian in the Middle East. If the world doesn't do more in defense of persecuted Christians we are going to see tens of thousands more die, quickly. Let's be clear: Islamic terrorists want to do to Christians in Egypt exactly what they did to them in Iraq and in Syria. In fact, they are already doing it. Hundreds of families have already been displaced from North Sinai, and multiple suicide bombings have killed dozens already this year. Christians in the West must speak up more loudly for Christians in the East, and we mustn't forget that the terrorists would kill everyone of us if they had the chance. Thank God we finally have a president who isn't ashamed to raise his voice for persecuted Christians, but that's not enough. The church must raise our voice as well because God's word tells us "if one member of the body suffers, we all suffer." We join today in the apostle Paul's 2000-year-old prayer request for the persecuted church, "pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people." (2 Thess. 3:2).
President Trump is right. This is a battle between good and evil and that evil aims to kill every Christian in the Middle East. If the world doesn't do more in defense of persecuted Christians we are going to see tens of thousands more die, quickly. Let's be clear: Islamic terrorists want to do to Christians in Egypt exactly what they did to them in Iraq and in Syria. In fact, they are already doing it. Hundreds of families have already been displaced from North Sinai, and multiple suicide bombings have killed dozens already this year. Christians in the West must speak up more loudly for Christians in the East, and we mustn't forget that the terrorists would kill everyone of us if they had the chance. Thank God we finally have a president who isn't ashamed to raise his voice for persecuted Christians, but that's not enough. The church must raise our voice as well because God's word tells us "if one member of the body suffers, we all suffer." We join today in the apostle Paul's 2000-year-old prayer request for the persecuted church, "pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people." (2 Thess. 3:2).
Open Doors USA
The No. 1 thing persecuted Christians ask the most for is prayer. As Christians, we need to praying every day for those who are beaten or killed for their faith. The other thing we can do is advocate. Open Doors USA is currently advocating for the president to appoint a new ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom within the U.S. State Department to address the worsening situation of those who face persecution because of their faith.
The No. 1 thing persecuted Christians ask the most for is prayer. As Christians, we need to praying every day for those who are beaten or killed for their faith. The other thing we can do is advocate. Open Doors USA is currently advocating for the president to appoint a new ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom within the U.S. State Department to address the worsening situation of those who face persecution because of their faith.
Larry Tomczak, author and cultural commentator:
Scripture tells us, "Remember those who are in chains, as if imprisoned with them, and those who are ill treated, since you are also in the body" (Heb.13:3). It is our sacred duty to continue praying for individuals and their families who are the targets of ISIS terrorism. We face their wrath in large measure because our former president did not follow through with the military leaders' counsel, and instead of leaving a nucleus of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for a transition phase, he set a timetable and pulled out. In the vacuum came these demon-possessed terrorists devoted to seeing an Islamic controlled world. Katy Perry tells us to love them and coexist with them and just get along, which is absurd in the face of their deception and radical measures. President Trump was bold in speaking to the Muslim leaders and challenging them to stand with others in the world to root out these crazed killers.Then speaking with NATO leaders he also challenged them to step up and do their part not only financially but in a united way to defeat these radical, extremist, Islamic terrorists. What is needed is a formal declaration of war that serves notice to everyone on the gravity of the situation and the need to be in solidarity for victory and wiping out this metastasizing cancer from the face of the earth. As 1 Timothy 2 instructs us, let us here in America remain in fervent intercession for our president and elected officials to stand strong like President Reagan did in his testing with Communism. Ignore the dishonest media and the rabid demonstrators and let us all go forward together acting in a righteous way to see God honored in the world and reached with the gospel.
Scripture tells us, "Remember those who are in chains, as if imprisoned with them, and those who are ill treated, since you are also in the body" (Heb.13:3). It is our sacred duty to continue praying for individuals and their families who are the targets of ISIS terrorism. We face their wrath in large measure because our former president did not follow through with the military leaders' counsel, and instead of leaving a nucleus of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan for a transition phase, he set a timetable and pulled out. In the vacuum came these demon-possessed terrorists devoted to seeing an Islamic controlled world. Katy Perry tells us to love them and coexist with them and just get along, which is absurd in the face of their deception and radical measures. President Trump was bold in speaking to the Muslim leaders and challenging them to stand with others in the world to root out these crazed killers.Then speaking with NATO leaders he also challenged them to step up and do their part not only financially but in a united way to defeat these radical, extremist, Islamic terrorists. What is needed is a formal declaration of war that serves notice to everyone on the gravity of the situation and the need to be in solidarity for victory and wiping out this metastasizing cancer from the face of the earth. As 1 Timothy 2 instructs us, let us here in America remain in fervent intercession for our president and elected officials to stand strong like President Reagan did in his testing with Communism. Ignore the dishonest media and the rabid demonstrators and let us all go forward together acting in a righteous way to see God honored in the world and reached with the gospel.
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