Posted: March 6, 2002 1:00 a.m. Eastern

 © 2002 WorldNetDaily.com

“… 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.

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