On the cover of the November
issue of Christianity Today we found the question, “Is this the end of
Christianity in the Middle East?” The featured article was entitled “On the
Edge of Extinction.” The author, Philip Jenkins, who has a much broader view of
what constitutes true Christianity than most of us do, nonetheless reveals the
horrific persecution of those professing Christ in the Middle East today. He
writes:
For Christians in the Middle
East, 2014 has been a catastrophe. The most wrenching stories have come from
Iraq, where the nascent Islamic State (ISIS or ISIL in news reports) has
savagely persecuted ancient Christian communities, including Assyrians,
Chaldeans, and Syrian Orthodox. Iraqi Christians have declined rapidly in
number since the first Gulf War in 1991, but survivors long believed they could
maintain a foothold around Mosul. This past summer, that hope collapsed. In a
ghastly reminder of Nazi savagery against Jews, Christian homes were marked
with the Arabic letter ن
for Nazarenes –
Christ followers – or R for Rwafidh, a term for Protestants, and
inhabitants were targets for abuse or murder. Islamist militants have
controlled Mosul since June 10. Even if the total extermination of each and
every believer is not the goal, those ancient communities and churches face the
prospect of utter ruin. To that extent, the end of Christianity in Iraq is
within sight (37).
We
hear about persecution, but it often strikes us as something from long ago or
far away. But we must remember that Christians today are suffering and dying
for Christ’s sake. Christians today are experiencing what Jesus prophesied when
He said, “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you:
and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Name’s sake” (Matt. 24:9).
Christians today are putting their hope in the promise of Jesus: “Blessed are
ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of
evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great
is your reward in heaven...” (Matt. 5:11-12).
Are
we also prepared to suffer persecution for the sake of Christ? Such persecution
may not be very far off. We are tempted to fear and tremble, especially at the
prospect of our children suffering. But let us remember what Paul said to the
Philippians: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to
believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” And to the Colossians about
his own sufferings he wrote: “Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and
fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His
body’s sake, which is the church” (Col. 1:24). And with regard to our children,
we must not forget what Jesus said: “But whoso shall offend one of these little
ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged
about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6).
The same goes for those who persecute one of His little ones. But for our covenant
children, great will also be their reward in heaven.
Another
sign of the imminent coming of our Savior.
Rev. Daniel Holstege
The
Standard Bearer, January 1, 2015
Volume
91, No. 7, pp. 154-155
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