Catholic Nuns vs the State of New York
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
A Lista de Vigilância de Perseguição da Portas Abertas
De acordo com a Lista de Vigilância de Perseguição daPortas Abertas, mais de 380 milhões de cristãos sofrem um elevado nível de perseguição pela sua fé, enquanto 310 milhões deles sofrem um nível muito elevado ou extremo de perseguição. Eis um excerto da Watch List:
Coreia do Norte 1 A pontuação de
violência aumentou ainda mais este ano, uma vez que a Coreia do Norte
restabeleceu a sua posição no primeiro lugar. Há uma ênfase ainda maior na
pureza ideológica e qualquer ameaça externa percebida ou real é cruelmente
expurgada.
A China também intensificou os seus esforços para prender
e repatriar norte-coreanos, todos considerados imigrantes ilegais.
Iémen 3 O Iémen subiu para o terceiro lugar na
Lista Mundial de Observação devido ao aumento da violência anticristã. A
pressão sobre os cristãos também se manteve no máximo. No contexto da guerra
civil, os rebeldes Houthis apoiados pelo Irão expandiram o seu poder, tornando
o país cada vez mais perigoso para os cristãos. Somado à maior radicalização
islâmica, isto significava que até as igrejas secretas já não se podiam reunir
em segurança.
Quirguistão 47 Um dos dois únicos
recém-chegados ao top 50 deste ano, o Quirguistão teve o maior aumento de
pontuação na lista, fazendo a sua primeira aparição desde 2013. Houve um
aumento acentuado da violência contra a igreja, muitas igrejas registadas e
instituições cristãs foram forçadas a fechar, e a pressão sobre os cristãos
aumentou em quase todas as esferas da vida.
Guerras civis e insurreição: o caos violento continua a
ser uma cobertura para a perseguição. Em países como Myanmar, Iémen e Sudão, as
guerras civis tornaram-se criadouros de ataques dirigidos contra os cristãos.
Noutros locais, como a República Centro-Africana, a República Democrática do
Congo, o Mali, o Burkina Faso e o Níger, as insurreições islâmicas criaram
ambientes onde os cristãos podem ser alvos impunes e onde os militantes podem
atacar e expulsar comunidades do povo de Deus.
4.476 cristãos mortos Embora menos cristãos tenham sido
mortos pela sua fé na Nigéria em comparação com o ano passado, a morte continua
a ser desproporcionalmente mortal para os cristãos, com 3.100 a pagarem o preço
máximo pela sua fé. Infelizmente, mais cristãos foram mortos fora da Nigéria,
muitos em países da África Subsariana, como a RDC, o Burkina Faso, os Camarões
e o Níger.
4.744 cristãos detidos ou presos Os cristãos continuam a
ser detidos sem julgamento, presos, sentenciados e presos por seguirem Jesus.
Só na Índia, 1.629 cristãos foram detidos sem julgamento e outros 547 foram
condenados a penas de prisão. Crentes foram presos pela sua fé na Eritreia,
Bangladesh, Irão, entre outros.
Tendências: A violência ganha forma em todo o
mundo. Vários países da Lista Mundial de Observação registaram um aumento da
violência anticristã. Embora os contextos fossem diferentes, quer estados
autocráticos rigidamente controlados, quer países instáveis devido a governos
fracos ou guerra civil, o resultado foi o mesmo: ataques a comunidades cristãs,
destruição de vidas, lares e igrejas, e imensa pressão sobre os fiéis.
Violência contínua em toda a África Subsariana. Vários
países da África Subsariana têm registado um aumento da violência contra os
cristãos. Atualmente, 8 dos 10 locais mais mortíferos para os cristãos estão na
África Subsariana — e todos eles (exceto a Nigéria) têm mais assassinatos
baseados na fé do que durante o período de relatório da Lista Mundial de
Vigilância de 2024.
A instabilidade crónica do governo criou um ambiente onde
os cristãos podem ser alvos, e onde os militantes islâmicos podem usar o caos
como cobertura para os seus ataques aos cristãos. Muitos cristãos foram
obrigados a abandonar as suas casas. Dos 34,5 milhões de deslocados na África
Subsariana, cerca de 16,2 milhões são cristãos.
A campanha Portas Abertas Arise África é uma resposta de
vários anos à violência avassaladora contra os cristãos na região. Conta com as
orações e o apoio dos cristãos de todo o mundo para apoiar a igreja africana e
ajudá-la a ser sal e luz no meio da perseguição extrema.
A igreja está a ser expulsa ou levada para a
clandestinidade. Os cristãos no Médio Oriente e noutros países da Lista Mundial
de Vigilância estão a ser levados para a clandestinidade. O isolamento cristão
e o declínio das igrejas foram um padrão recorrente em vários países: Após mais
de uma década de guerra, desastre e crise sem tréguas, a igreja na Síria
diminuiu significativamente. A emigração está a mudar ativamente a aparência da
igreja — de uma antiga e grande população minoritária para uma comunidade cristã
muito mais pequena e mais ameaçada.
Após a guerra entre Israel e o Hamas, que começou em
outubro de 2023, as comunidades cristãs de Gaza e da Cisjordânia chegaram à
beira da extinção. Embora não tenha sido devido à perseguição, em Gaza, pelo
menos 33 cristãos foram mortos e a maioria das casas foi destruída durante a
violência. Muitas famílias cristãs mudaram-se para o estrangeiro ou estão a
tentar sair.
A igreja no Afeganistão é profundamente clandestina e,
como há menos expressões visíveis do cristianismo, as autoridades talibãs não
têm nada a reprimir. Todas as igrejas protestantes na Argélia foram forçadas a
fechar, não restando nenhuma que possa ser alvo de encerramento.
Na China, as igrejas não registadas, anteriormente
toleradas pelo governo, são agora consideradas ilegais, uma vez que as
autoridades aplicam regulamentos. As igrejas aprovadas pelo Estado estão sob
maior pressão ideológica e novas leis enviam os pastores para sessões de
doutrinação, onde são instados a pregar adequadamente. As congregações mais
pequenas são forçadas a fundir-se numa igreja maior, mais fácil de controlar,
ou a levar as suas irmandades para a clandestinidade, em grupos domésticos
isolados.
2025 World Watch List: Will we pay attention when our family suffers?
According
to Open
Doors’ Persecution Watch List, more than 380 million Christians suffer from
a high level of persecution for their faith, while 310 million of those suffer a
very high or extreme level of persecution. Here is an exert from the Watch List:
North Korea 1The violence score increased even more this
year as North Korea re-established its hold on
No. 1. Several groups of Christians were arrested and brought to labour camps.
There is an even greater emphasis on ideological purity and any perceived or
real outside threat is viciously purged.
China also stepped up its efforts to arrest and repatriate North Koreans, all
of whom are regarded as illegal immigrants.
Yemen 3Yemen moved up to third place on the
World Watch List due to an increase in anti-Christian violence. Pressure on
Christians also remained at the maximum. Within the context of civil war,
Iran-backed Houthi rebels expanded their power, making more of the country
increasingly dangerous for Christians. Coupled with further Islamic
radicalization, this meant even secret house churches could no longer meet
safely.
Kyrgyzstan 47One of only two newcomers to this year’s top
50, Kyrgyzstan had the highest score increase
on the list, making its first appearance since 2013. There was a sharp increase
in violence against the church, many registered churches and Christian
institutions were forced to close, and pressure on Christians increased in
almost all spheres of life.
Civil wars and insurrection: Violent chaos continues to be a cover for persecution. In countries
like Myanmar, Yemen and Sudan, civil wars have become breeding grounds
for targeted attacks against Christians. In other places like Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic Congo, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, Islamist insurrections have created
environments where Christians can be targeted with impunity, and where
militants can attack and chase out communities of God’s people.
4,476 Christians killed Though fewer Christians were killed for their faith in Nigeria compared to last year, it remains
disproportionately deadly for Christians, with 3,100 paying the ultimate price
for their faith. Sadly, more Christians were killed outside Nigeria, many in
sub-Saharan Africa countries like DRC, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Niger.
4,744 Christians detained or imprisoned Christians continue to be detained without trial, arrested, sentenced
and imprisoned for following Jesus. In India alone, 1,629 Christians were
detained without trial and another 547 were sentenced to prison. Believers were
incarcerated for their faith in Eritrea, Bangladesh, Iran amongst others.
Trends:
Violence takes shape around the world. Several countries on the World Watch List saw an
increase in anti-Christian violence. While the contexts were different, either
tightly controlled autocratic states, or countries that are unstable due to
weak government or civil war, the result was the same: targeting of Christian
communities, destruction of lives, homes and churches, and immense pressure on
believers.
Continued violence across
Sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple
countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have seen a rise in violence against
Christians. Currently, 8 of the top 10 deadliest places for Christians are in
Sub-Saharan Africa—and all of them (except Nigeria) have more faith-based
killings than they did during the 2024 World Watch List reporting period.
Chronic government
instability has created an environment where Christians can be targeted, and
where Islamic militants can use the chaos as cover for their attacks on
Christians. Many Christians
have been forced from their homes. Of 34.5 million displaced people across
Sub-Saharan Africa, around 16.2 million are Christians.
The Open Doors Arise Africa campaign is a multi-year
response to the overwhelming violence against Christians in the region. It
relies on the prayers and support of Christians around the world to stand with
the African church, to help it be salt and light amid extreme persecution.
The church is being driven
out, or driven underground. Christians
in the Middle East and more countries on the World Watch List, are being driven
underground. Christian isolation and the decline of churches was a recurring
pattern in several countries:
After more than a decade of
war, disaster and relentless crisis, the church in Syria has diminished
significantly. Emigration is actively changing what the church looks like—from
an ancient, large minority population, to a much smaller, more endangered Christian
community.
Following the Israeli-Hamas
war that began in October 2023, Christian communities in Gaza and the West Bank
have come to the brink of extinction. Though not due to persecution, in Gaza,
at least 33 Christians were killed, and most houses destroyed during the
violence. Many Christian families have moved abroad or are trying to leave.
The church in Afghanistan is
deeply underground, and since there are fewer visible expressions of
Christianity, the Taliban authorities have nothing to crack down on. All Protestant churches in Algeria have
been forced to close, leaving none that can be targeted for closure.
In China,
unregistered churches, once tolerated by the government, are now considered
illegal as authorities enforce regulations. State-approved churches are under
stronger ideological pressure and new laws send pastors into indoctrination
sessions, where they are urged to preach accordingly. Smaller congregations are
either forced to merge into a larger church that is easier to control, or to
take their fellowships underground, into isolated home groups.
Friday, February 21, 2025
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Monday, June 17, 2024
ISIS kills dozens of Christians in DRC
Churches close after latest attacks
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for killing dozens of people in a series of violent attacks lasting multiple days in several villages in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with at least 80 Christians reportedly among the dead, military and local sources say.
The series of attacks saw one of its deadliest days on June 7, when suspected militants from the Islamic State-affiliated Allied Democratic Forces launched coordinated assaults on several villages in the Beni territory of the Christian-majority North Kivu province.
On Friday, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack that killed over 40 people in the village of Mayikengo in Lubero territory earlier in the week. Citing figures from local authorities, Agence France-Presse reports that nearly 150 people have been killed since the beginning of June by the Allied Democratic Forces.
Open Doors, a watchdog organization monitoring the persecution of Christians in over 60 countries, responded to the attacks in a statement shared with The Christian Post, saying that of those killed, at least 80 were Christians. While ADF attacks in DRC are not new, Open Doors reports that the recent violence is "comparatively deadlier" and particularly more "aggressive in targeting Christians" than in previous years.
"Christians are forced to flee, and some churches in the affected villages have closed as a result of the latest attacks. These unabated attacks come at a time when Christian farmers were preparing for harvest," said Open Doors US CEO Ryan Brown.
"The impact is that many families are without means to feed their families, and the unprepared displacement has put pressure on the livelihood of Christian families now on the move to unknown destinations."
Over a dozen armed groups and 100 criminal gangs and militias operate in eastern DRC, according to the U.S. State Department. ADF, which is also referred to as Islamic State's Central Africa Province and sometimes called ISIS-DRC, was designated by the State Department as a foreign terrorist organization in 2021. The group pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2017 after operating in the DRC for years.
"ISIS-DRC historically relied on local resources and on former leader Jamil Mukulu's international connections to raise funds but has received funding from ISIS-linked financing networks since 2017," a State Department factsheet notes. "About one-third of ISIS-DRC members, including its top leaders, are of Ugandan origin."
The Open Doors World Watch List ranks DRC as the 41st most dangerous country for Christians, with the eastern regions facing acute threats from Islamic militants, organized crime and local armed factions. The group called for increased international support and a concerted effort to address the crisis affecting Christian communities.
"The rate at which Christian communities continue to be attacked in eastern DRC by the ADF is horrifying. These attacks continue unabated, displacing thousands of people from their homes, farmlands and livelihoods," said Jo Newhouse, Open Doors' field spokesperson for Sub-Saharan Africa. "We call on the international community to do everything in its power to ensure the government of DRC faithfully and transparently protects all affected communities and that the displaced receive the support they need in these circumstances."
Last week, on the night of June 7, 41 people were killed and several injured, underscoring a grim tally of over 80 fatalities in just four days, Lieutenant-Colonel Mak Hazukay, a spokesman for the Congolese army, told Reuters.
The villages of Masala, Mapasana and Mahini bore the brunt of the onslaught, with armed men using guns and machetes in a brutal rampage. Fabien Kakule, a local official, told Reuters that residents were indiscriminately attacked, and a local health center was set ablaze.
In addition, 11 bodies were discovered in the villages of Kabweli, Mamulese and Mununze. Later, 13 more bodies were found in the village of Makobu, as reported by local leaders and civil society members engaged in the search and recovery of bodies.
In addition to the killings, nine people suffered injuries during the attacks.
The ADF, originally a rebel group from Uganda, has significantly expanded its base of operations in eastern Congo.
According to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, ADF has become the deadliest threat to civilians in the region, with over 1,000 reported fatalities last year alone. Their strategic positions have also facilitated increased cross-border attacks into Uganda.
EU foreign affairs spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told Reuters that terror groups "are taking advantage of the chaos to expand their hold on an already very unstable region," stressing the need for a political solution to combat the rising tide of extremism and violence.
Former North Kivu Gov. Julien Paluku took to social media to express concern over the national government's response, or lack thereof, to the escalating violence.
"People have the impression, rightly or wrongly, of being abandoned to their sad fate," he was quoted as stating.
Monday, August 7, 2023
The Coming Persecution is Upon Us!
The coming persecution is upon us
By Samuel SeyPäivi Räsänen | Courtesy of ADF
Don’t be surprised if one day you are on trial for quoting the Bible on social media.
If that seems unthinkable, you should know it’s already happening to some Christians in other parts of the world. Like tropical storms that devastated the Caribbean and South American nations before hitting American soil, there is a coming persecution that is already affecting Christians around the world.
If things do not change, American Christians will suffer the same storms. There are already warning signs.
The Bible says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Christians have become accustomed to getting banned (or shadowbanned) on social media for our beliefs, but it seems strange to think that one day we could be arrested for quoting the Bible.
But that’s what happened to Päivi Räsänen, a member of parliament in Finland.
She has been an elected official since 1995. She was the chair of the Christian Democratic Party from 2004 to 2015, she was minister of the interior from 2011 to 2015, and she is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland with her husband, who serves as a pastor.
In June 2019, Päivi tweeted a picture of Bible verses and questioned her denomination’s partnership with an LGBT Pride event.
The prosecutor general in Finland opened an investigation against her. In April 2021, the prosecutor announced three charges of hate speech against Päivi — one charge for the tweet, a second charge for a 2004 pamphlet on sexuality for her church, and a third charge for a 2019 radio debate on sexuality.
Alliance Defending Freedom International supported her defense at a district court, and in a unanimous ruling in March 2022, the court dismissed all charges against her.
However, the prosecutor appealed the ruling. So on August 22nd, Päivi will stand trial again.
It is tempting to think this could never happen in America. Freedom of speech is protected by law in this country. But Päivi can say the same about her country. The constitution in Finland protects freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
Therefore it is Päivi today, but it could be your pastor tomorrow. If a politician can be charged with hate speech for quoting the Bible, pastors can receive the same charge. If politicians can be charged for that, less powerful people like you can also be charged for quoting the Bible on social media.
Last week, police officers in Wisconsin arrested several young Christians for preaching the gospel at a public drag queen event that targeted children.
In June, the House of Representatives in Michigan passed House Bill 4474, a bill that would make speech that “causes the victims to feel terrorized, frightened, or threatened” a hate crime. Speech against a person’s “sexual orientation” or “gender identity or expression” are listed as hate crimes.
Western nations like America and Finland founded their legal system on Christian ethics, but now they are radically committed to LGBT ideology and opposed to their founding values.
Just as Christian theology shaped the West’s legal system, LGBT ideology is reshaping it. LGBT ideology cannot co-exist with Christian theology. It cannot compete with the loving, hopeful, freeing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Therefore, it suppresses Christianity through persecution. It arrests Christians for preaching the Gospel. It criminalizes speech against homosexuality and transgenderism.
And it charges people like Päivi Räsänen for quoting the Bible on social media.
Like every person in a Western nation, Päivi has a constitutional right to freedom of speech. However, free speech rights are irrelevant if people aren’t empowered to defend them.
Like the first trial, Alliance Defending Freedom International is supporting Päivi. Please donate them to them so they will be empowered to help Päivi win her case. They helped her win the first trial, so with your donation — they could help her win the second.
This trial isn’t just persecution against Päivi, it is persecution against Jesus and His Church. Right now it is a trial against an elected official in Finland, but in the future, it could be a trial against an average citizen in America.
Following her charges, Päivi said:
“I do not consider myself guilty of threatening, slandering, or insulting anyone. My statements were all based on the Bible’s teachings on marriage and sexuality. I will defend my right to confess my faith, so that no one else would be deprived of their right to freedom of religion and speech.”
So please pray for Päivi and donate to Alliance Defending Freedom International.
You can donate here.
Originally published at Slow to Write.
Samuel Sey is a Ghanaian-Canadian who lives in Brampton, a city just outside of Toronto. He is committed to addressing racial, cultural, and political issues with biblical theology, and always attempts ....
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Finland puts the Bible on trial
Finnish MP Paivi Rasanen decries 'heavy hatred for Christian values' in Western society
Same-sex marriage bill opens the door to American persecution
Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen facing second trial over biblical beliefs 1 year after acquittal
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Foxes Book of Martyrs
CHAPTER I.
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN MARTYRS TO THE FIRST GENERAL PERSECUTION UNDER NERO.
The history of the church may almost be said to be a history of the trials and sufferings of its members, as experienced at the hands of wicked men. At one time, persecution, as waged against the friends of Christ, was confined to those without; at another, schisms and divisions have arrayed brethren of the same name against each other, and scenes of cruelty and woe have been exhibited within the sanctuary, rivalling in horror the direst cruelties ever inflicted by pagan or barbarian fanaticism. This, however, instead of implying any defect in the gospel system, which breathes peace and love; only portrays in darker colours the deep and universal depravity of the human heart. Pure and unsophisticated morality, especially when attempted to be inculcated on mankind, as essential to their preserving an interest with their Creator, have constantly met with opposition. It was this which produced the premature death of John the Baptist. It was the cutting charge of adultery and incest, which excited the resentment of Herodias, who never ceased to persecute him, until she had accomplished his destruction. The same observation is equally applicable to the Jewish doctors, in their treatment of our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. In the sudden martyrdom of John the Baptist, and the crucifixion of our Lord, the history of Christian martyrdom must be admitted to commence; and from these, as a basis for the subsequent occurrences, we may fairly trace the origin of that hostility, which produced so lavish an effusion of Christian blood, and led to so much slaughter in the progressive state of Christianity.
As it is not our business to enlarge upon our Saviour's history, either before or after his crucifixion, we shall only find it necessary to remind our readers of the discomfiture of the Jews by his subsequent resurrection. Though one apostle had betrayed him; though another had denied him, under the solemn sanction of an oath; and though the rest had forsaken him, unless we may except "the disciple who was known unto the high-priest;" the history of his resurrection gave a new direction to all their hearts, and, after the mission of the Holy Spirit, imparted new confidence to their minds. The powers[16] with which they were endued emboldened them to proclaim his name, to the confusion of the Jewish rulers, and the astonishment of Gentile proselytes.
I. St. Stephen
St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the Passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring.
Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church, which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles."
About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the "persecution which arose about Stephen."
II. James the Great.
The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apostles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen, that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Saviour he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other in Macedonia. These events took place A. D. 44.
III. Philip.
Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee, and was the first called by the name of "Disciple." He laboured diligently in Upper Asia, and[17] suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A. D. 54.
IV. Matthew,
Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labours was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A. D. 60.
V. James the Less,
Is supposed by some to have been the brother of our Lord, by a former wife of Joseph. This is very doubtful, and accords too much with the catholic superstition, that Mary never had any other children except our Saviour. He was elected to the oversight of the churches of Jerusalem; and was the author of the epistle ascribed to James in the sacred canon. At the age of ninety-four, he was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club.
VI. Matthias,
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas. He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded.
VII. Andrew,
Was the brother of Peter. He preached the gospel to many Asiatic nations; but on his arrival at Edessa, he was taken and crucified on a cross, the two ends of which were fixed transversely in the ground. Hence the derivation of the term, St. Andrew's Cross.
VIII. St. Mark,
Was born of Jewish parents of the tribe of Levi. He is supposed to have been converted to Christianity by Peter, whom he served as an amanuensis, and under whose inspection he wrote his gospel in the Greek language. Mark was dragged to pieces by the people of Alexandria, at the great solemnity of Serapis their idol, ending his life under their merciless hands.
IX. Peter,
Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee. He was by occupation a fisherman. Christ gave him a name which in Syriac implies a rock. Peter is supposed to have suffered martyrdom at Rome, during the reign of the emperor Nero, being crucified with his head downward, at his own request.
[It is, however, very uncertain, whether Peter ever visited Rome at all. The evidence rather favouring the supposition that he ended his days in some other country.—Ed.][18]
X. Paul,
The great apostle of the Gentiles, was a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, a native of Tarsus in Cilicia, and before his conversion was called Saul. After suffering various persecutions at Jerusalem, Iconium, Lystra, Philippi and Thessalonica, he was carried prisoner to Rome, where he continued for two years, and was then released. He afterwards visited the churches of Greece and Rome, and preached the gospel in Spain and France, but returning to Rome, he was apprehended by order of Nero, and beheaded.
XI. Jude,
The brother of James, was commonly called Thaddeus. He was crucified at Edessa, A. D. 72.
XII. Bartholomew,
Preached in several countries, and having translated the gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.
XIII. Thomas,
Called Didymus, preached the gospel in Parthia and India, where exciting the rage of the pagan priests, he was martyred by being thrust through with a spear.
XIV. Luke,
The evangelist, was the author of the gospel which goes under his name. He travelled with Paul through various countries, and is supposed to have been hanged on an olive tree, by the idolatrous priests of Greece.
XV. Simon,
Surnamed Zelotes, preached the gospel in Mauritania, Africa, and even in Britain, which latter country he was crucified, A. D. 74.
XVI. John,
The "beloved disciple," was brother to James the Great. The churches of Smyrna, Pergamos, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea, and Thyatira, were founded by him. From Ephesus he was ordered to be sent to Rome, where it is affirmed he was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil. He escaped by miracle, without injury. Domitian afterwards banished him to the Isle of Patmos, where he wrote the Book of Revelation. Nerva, the successor of Domitian, recalled him. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death.
XVII. Barnabas,
Was of Cyprus, but of Jewish descent, his death is supposed to have taken place about A. D. 73.
Dennis Edwards: Since most, if not all, of these men had known Jesus, and had witnessed the events in Jerusalem, both Jesus' death and resurrection, their deaths can be seen as a confirmation of the truth of the Gospel. Men can be deceived into dying for a false belief, as many have done so throughout history. But these men refused to negate Christ and His resurrection and died cruel deaths at the hands of their enemies. If the resurrection was a lie, why would these men go to their death for something they knew was not true? Their willingness to go to their deaths serves as a confirmation of the truth of the resurrection.
Resource: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/22400/22400-h/22400-h.htm#Page_204
Monday, April 5, 2021
Polish Minister Chases Police and Health Authoritees Out of Church!
Dennis Edwards: The Polish Minister, an immigrant to Canada, understands where all this is headed: an antichrist police state with peace and security for all who submit to totalitarian government authority and prison and fines for those who don't. He lived through it under communist Poland and now he sees it slowly but surely coming softly to Canada and USA. Read "Live Not By Lies: A Manuel For Christian Dissidents" by Rod Dreher.
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Faith in the Face of Fear!
Dennis Edwards
Yesterday I had a very interesting day. Our dog was dying
and in great pain so my wife asked me to take him early to the vetenarian to put her down. Off I went, but in my hurry I forgot to take with me my devotional book and
my Bible, which I usually read in the morning for a good 30 minutes or
more.
When I arrived at the vetenarian, I thought I would listen to a part of the Bible on
my phone app while I waited, as two other owners of animals were in
front of me. But while searching for the Bible app on my phone, I happened upon my whatsapp page and clicked on it. I saw two new messages.
Normally, I try not to read messages from people until I have
had my time of prayer and devotion with the Lord. I want to love the Lord first
and keep Him first in my life and not allow my ministry to others to conflict
with my relationship with Him. "Love the Lord thy God first, and then thy neighbour as thyself."
However, seeing I had a message from a Pastor friend, who
usually sends good devotional material, I decided to open his message. But, I was in for a surprise with what I was about to hear and see. Today, it wasn’t a
devotional reading at all. It was a half hour vídeo of a German Christian
explaining the history of Corona Virus and how the whole response mode which
the world was following had been written up over eight years ago in a study by
some world organization. The title of the message was something like “Corona
Virus Planned by World Masters.”
After listening to the first message, I then opened up the second message which was from a woman firend who had been a missionary in Africa some years ago. She normally doesn't send me anything "heavy" or controversail. Today, she sent me a half hour áudio from a pastor in South Africa.
I had already been
disobedient to my normal plan of reading, because I had opened a message before I had had my personal time with the Lord. Now, I continued in my disobedience. Again, it turned out not to be a devotional reading, but another
heavy message about the origin and cause of the Corona Virus outbreak.
The South African Pastor was saying that the quarenteen would lead to an economic crash and an
obligatory vaccine which would include a biometric micro-chip. He concluded
that the vaccine/implant could very well be the "mark of the beast"
spoken of in the book of Revelation.[1]
God has told us that true believers are not to accept such a mark even if it is obligatory. God has said that the mark would really
have a spiritual signifance. The Pastor was explaining that those that accepted the vaccine may very well be receiving the “mark of the beast” and in fact be adoring Satan.
Usually, I’m not affected by these things as I am a student
of the Bible endtime events and have studied quite a bit about the various
interpretations of Bible prophecy. However, today it was different and I was
caught off guard. What I seemed to be able to handle on a normal day, when I had
had my time in God's word, my devotional time with the Lord first, affected me
today differently.
Suddenly, I felt like Peter when he looked at the waves.[2] I got my eyes off the Lord and all I could
see was that the dark days of Bible prophecy were nearly upon us. I lost that
perfect peace we have when are minds are stayed on Him and Him alone.[3] I got my eyes off of Jesus and saw only the
horrific events of the book of Revelation that seemed like a giant monster ready
to devour me.
I ended up feeling attacked spiritually, and very anxious.
Thankfully, I realized what was happening and called up a close friend of mine from a prayer group I am a member of to ask for prayer. He, too, was needing prayer and we prayed together and
immediately we both felt better for it.
But the whole incident made me realize
what kind of the affect our words can have on others. I have a whatsapp group
of fifty people whom I share material with every day. The event of the day made
me reflect on what type of material I was sharing with my group. In my bid to
teach them Bible prophecy was I over emphasizing the horrors of the “Great
Tribulation” and not emphasizing sufficiently “the victorious coming of the
Lord?”
If we dwell on the fact that the rise of the Antichrist is
coming with the mark of the beast, and pose the question “what are we going to
do,” then we lose sight of the fact that the Lord promises to keep us through
all these things. The night before I had been talking to a friend of mine from
Australia who was asking me about Bible prophecy. I answered all his questions
and he commented that he agreed with everything I had shared with him. I ended
up saying, “Manuel, during the tribulation the Lord will be trying
to protect us from the evil if we stay close to Him.”
My friend responed, “Dennis, I agree with everything you
said, except the word “trying.” He said, “Dennis, the Lord is going to protect
us from the evil.” I thought, “Wow, he puts the emphasis on the Lord and what
the Lord is going to do. But I’m putting the emphasis on trying, my trying to
keep close to the Lord. It sounds like my self-effort is what’s going to save
me.” But my friend said, “Dennis, I believe everything you said except the word
“trying,” because it is the Lord that is going to protect us.”
I thought,
“Wow, he’s putting emphasis on the Lord’s sovereign power to save and protect
us. He’s showing faith and trust in God’s power, while I don’t seem to have the
same level of confidence in God’s word. I don’t seem to believe that God is
going protect those He seals, like He says He will in His word.[4] I seem to be thinking it’s going to be my own
effort that will save me.”
God promises that He will be with us to the end of the
world.[5] He says we will be more than conquerors
through Him that loves us.[6] Even if something bad happen to us, He is
going to give us the grace to bear it or a way to escape it.[7] Therefore, we don’t have anything to worry or
to fear about. We, as Christians, don’t want to transmit worry or fear to our
friends and aquaintences. We are in God’s hands and nothing will happen to us,
but what God allows to happen. He won’t let anything happen to us that He
doesn’t give us the grace to confront and pass through.
Please, make sure you are spending enough time in personal
devotion with the Lord in praise and prayer. Spend sufficient time with Jesus
by reading your Bible or a good devotional book. Anchor, found at the link: anchor.tfionline.com, has a reservoir of
articles on many different subjects which you might find beneficial to study
during today’s uncertain days. We need
to continually strengthen our relationship with the Lord, especially in
difficult times like these. We need to be reading our Bibles or other
devotional material daily.
I apologized to my “Daily Might” group for having shared
with them some articles that may have promoted fear. We need to make sure our
words are promoting faith and not fear. God is ultimately in control. He’s
going to care of us and He’s going to give us the faith for whatever we have to
go through.
Corrie ten Boom who spent time in the Nazi concentration camps
during WWII confessed to her father one day. She said, “Dad, I don’t have faith
for getting caught by the Nazis. Dad,
I’m afraid I’m going to deny my faith. I can’t face persecution. I can’t face
what’s coming.”
Her family had been helping Jews escape from Holland. They
had a secret hiding place in Corrie’s bedroom for six people. They also helped
the members of the Dutch Resistance. Corrie later wrote about it in her best
selling book The Hiding Place.
But with Corrie’s confession of fear her
father wisely replied. He said, “Corrie, when you take the train from Haarlam
where we live to go to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? A year
ahead of time, a month, a week, a day?”
Corrie responded, “No, Dad, you give it
to me when you drop me off at the train station, at the moment I need it.”
Her father continued, “That’s right, Corrie, and that’s the
same with God. You might not have the faith right now for suffering
persecution, but don’t worry. If the time comes for you to suffer in that way,
God will give you the faith to face it.” Whatever we have to face in the
future, God is going to give us the faith to confront it. He even says we are
going to do mighty exploits in the face of persecution.[8]
Jesus has told us He will be with us to the end of the
world.[9] He has told us that, yes, in the world we
shall have tribulation, but He has also encouraged us to be of good cheer,
because He has overcome the world.[10] Like Martin Luther wrote, “We shall not fear
for God has willed His truth to triump through us.”
Another friend of mine told
me recently, “Dennis, you sound like you are worried because the days of the
Antichrist seem imminent. But don’t forget Jesus is coming back. That’s where
you need to keep your eyes. You need to keep your eyes on Jesus, not on the bad
stuff.” Jesus even said, “When you begin to see these things come to pass, Look
up, for your redemption draws nigh.”[11]
I guess He knew we would start looking at the waves and forget about Him!
Remember, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness
the people. But God has promised that
His light shall shine upon us and we shall be His witnesses unto the ends of
the earth.[12] Whatever happens to us will be within His
will and He will give us the grace to bear it, or save us out of it. We will be overcomers like our forefathers in
Hebrews 11 who were strangers and pilgrims upon the earth. They looked for
another city, a heavenly one whose builder and maker is God,[13]
where God Himself shall wipe away all tears from our eyes, and there shall be
no more death, nor pain, nor sorrow, nor sickness and the former things shall
be passed away.[14]
Let us have a balance in what we share with others and not
concentrate on the bad stuff so much that we discourage others and they run
from us in fear. Bright days are ahead because Jesus is ultimately in control.
He’s not trying to keep us, but He will keep us to the very end. If it is His
will for us to suffer, He will be with us in our trial and give us the grace to
bear it. Then we can say with Apostle Paul, “Oh, death, where is thy sting. Oh,
grave, where is thy victory?... But thanks be to God who has given us the
victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.”[15]
[1]
Revelation 13:16.17
[2] Matthew
14:28-32
[3] Isaiah
26:3
[4]
Revelation 7:3
[5] Matthew
28:20
[6] Romans
8:37
[7] 1
Corinthians 13:10
[8] Daniel
11:32
[9] Matthew
28:20
[10] John
16:33
[11] Luke
21:28
[12] Isaiah
60:2, Acts 1:8
[13] Hebrews
11:13, 10, 16.
[14]
Revelation 21:4
[15] 1
Corinthians 15:55, 56, 58
