By Mark Ellis
The radical Sunni terror group that overthrew Mosul and now threatens Baghdad and the entire region is already targeting Christians for persecution.
The group known as ISIS (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) seized Mosul, a city of two million people, a week ago. After American-trained Iraqi soldiers turned and ran, ISIS captured 72 tanks, 700 Humvees, a cache of Stinger missiles, and looted $480 million from local banks.
The following report was received by Christian Aid Mission from a ministry partner working in Mosul that has planted churches and led many Muslims to Christ:
“Please pray for us. We are scared. Last night they came in our church building and started breaking everything they saw,” the email to Christian Aid stated.
The ISIS invaders were bent on destruction. “They took our pulpit down and removed the cross. Then they threw gasoline on it and burned everything.”
Christians who hid in the basement were forced out by fire. “We had to go out because of the smoke. As we started running out they saw us and started shooting at us. Some did not make it, but those who did ran in all directions.”
The attack resulted in several believers martyred for the faith. “Those who were captured were killed on the spot,” the report stated.
“Most of those who attended the meeting are Muslim background believers. Please pray for us. We don´t have a place to go to and we don´t know what to do.”
The ministry reported that ISIS militants passed out leaflets stating that sharia law was now in effect. The leaflets mandated that all citizens pray five times a day, it stated that the hands of thieves will be amputated, and women should not walk the streets except in an emergency. If women go out in the streets, they must be fully covered.
ISIS militants want to create an Islamic caliphate that encompasses territory in Iraq and Syria, and from there launch a global holy war.
The ISIS fighters are considered more brutal and bloody than al Queda. “They believe killing gets them into heaven quicker,” one observer noted.
Recent events point to the possibility that Iraq will eventually be carved into Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish-controlled territories.
In the midst of this turmoil, some Christians are fleeing to Kurdistan, where there is more religious freedom.
Before 2003, Mosul had a significant Christian population of some 130,000 people. Since then the number has dwindled to a reported 10,000 due to frequent attacks on Christian homes, businesses, and churches. The city may soon be emptied of nearly all Christians now that ISIS militants have taken full control, according to Christian Aid Mission.
Another ministry partner of Christian Aid also reported on the desperate conditions in Mosul. Not long after ISIS arrived, “the Islamic militias started burning churches and killing Christians and Shiites,” his email stated.
“I have already talked with the church members in Mosul. They shut down the church, and all Christians left their homes and are fleeing to Erbil, along with thousands of Mosul residents,” he reported.
“The trip from Mosul to Erbil is like 45 minutes, but it took them 12 hours. Some of them are walking and some others were stuck in the long traffic.”
The ministry leader saw a silver lining in the chaos. “In a crisis like this, we experience a revival time and an awakening everywhere among the Muslims,” he said. “People will get closer to God and be more humble and heartbroken. They will listen to what we say about Jesus and accept our message easier. We need your prayers.”
We need your prayers.
You’ve got them. The world, both East and West, is waxing worse on a daily basis. The only hope is Christ, who triumphed over sin and death.
Amen together for our precious family in Christ
I love you and I will not forget you, soon the whole world will be overtaken by those who hate us and our Awesome God. But take comfort in knowing that soon we will be home with our Lord and there will be no more pain and suffering. But know that we must keep our eyes on The Lord while we endure this darkness. Be faithful to the end and count the cost. Soon it will be over.
Your Sister in Christ Samantha
Many tears of love in prayer are going to our Father on your behalf. Stand strong I your fath.
Revelation 21:3-7
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He *said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.
Blessings.samantha.youre.in.my.prayers.to.abba.father.may.the.lord.have.his.countenance.upon.you.godbless.you.all.love.michael
Blessings 2 you all. you’re in my prayers. may the lord make his countenance shine upon you. agreed. lots of love. brother michael
If one of us suffers, we all suffer. You are in our hearts and minds and prayers.
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
The sacrificial murder of Christians is a tragedy that has been happening since the dawn of Christianity. Be assured that those Christian lives are precious in the eyes of the Lord, our God. “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; the have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb…they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will spread his ten over them” (Rev. 7:14-15). “…for precious is their blood in his sight” (Ps. 72: 14). Whenever great changes are taking place in the history of men, such atrocities always occur. Be assured that our Blessed Savior is there sharing with them in their suffering, just as He is with the whole Church wherever it is. “…If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,(Rom 10:9)” then you are one with them in the Body of Christ, the whole Christian Church. By their blood Jesus calls the whole Church to prayer and sacrifice, to sackcloth and ashes, to the washing with water through the Word (Eph 5:26), and to the work of Christ which is the proclamation of the Gospel in though, word, and deed.
In these present days, the martyrdom of God’s servants is taking place at the hands of political zealots, masking their wrath in the teachings of Mohammed, and wrapping their false allegiance in the flag of Islam. What we should not do is strike back as our misguided Christian forerunners in their attempt to regain the Holy Land, called the Crusades. Our duty in Christ is clear. Our dear Lord Jesus said, “I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also…Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:39 & 44).
we the students of rehoboth theological institute will pray for this matter
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